Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway is finalist for the National Football League’s highest community award.
According to the team, Greenway was nominated by the NFL Players Association for the Byron Raymond “Whizzer” White Award, the union’s “most prestigious annual honor.” It recognizes players who are just as committed off the field as they are on the field.
“Greenway is a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker from Mt. Vernon, South Dakota. Greenway’s Lead The Way Foundation has raised more than $1.3 million dollars over the past six years to provide seriously ill and physically challenged children throughout the Twin Cities with daily support and life-changing experiences. Since Greenway’s NFL debut in 2006, he has annually participated in the Gridiron Gallop 5k Fun Run to continue his dedication to children’s causes.”
Greenway was originally one of 32 players (one from each team) nominated for the award, but a selection committee of former NFL players, Charlie Batch, Kevin Mawae and Mike Kenn, trimmed the nominees to five finalists.
“Whizzer” White was a running back for Pittsburgh and Detroit before becoming a Supreme Court Justice.
Greenway’s future with the Vikings remains murky. He’s due to count $8.8 million against the salary cap in 2015, so there is a possibility the Vikings will ask him to restructure his deal.
“I think everybody knows what type of player and person he’s been,” Vikings general manager Rick Spielman told reporters at Gophers Pro Day. “We’d love to have Chad Greenway finish as a Minnesota Viking. He’s under contract. There’s no deadline. We’re under the cap. There’s no deadline.”
Cris Carter is the only Viking to win the award, doing so in 1999.
