IRISH IN THE PROS
BY ANDREW OWENS
F
ormer Notre Dame players David
Bruton (2005-08) and Justin Tuck
(2001-04) are each representing their
current organizations as nominees for
the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the
Year award.
One player is named from each team
to be considered for the honor, with
the overall winner to be announced the
night before Super Bowl 50 in February.
The award was established in 1970
and named after the former Chicago
Bears running back in 1999. It annually
honors a player who has had a signifi-
cant impact on their community.
Bruton, a team captain the past three
seasons with the Denver Broncos, ear-
lier this year created the David Bruton
Jr. Foundation, which supports youth
reading groups. The foundation pro-
vides tutoring and books to under-
funded schools and libraries.
Tuck is in his second season with the
Oakland Raiders and, along with his
wife, founded Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Lit-
eracy in 2008, which focuses on provid-
ing access to books and closing the gap
for low-income Americans.
David Bruton And
Justin Tuck Honored
Bruton (above) and Tuck are nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
PHOTO COURTESY DENVER BRONCOS DIGITAL MEDIA
