The second annual Atlanta Falcons Community Honors Dinner was held Monday night at The Commerce Club in Atlanta, and defensive tackle Corey Peters was named the Falcons' Walter Payton Man of the Year.
The evening included recognizing the four Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback winners and four Atlanta Falcons Community All-Star of the Month winners.
During his acceptance speech, Peters said it ranks among the best honors he's ever received.
The Atlanta Falcons Man of the Year award recognizes a player's off-the-field community service. Each team in the NFL nominates one player from their organization for this prestigious honor. Peters will be considered in the final selection of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award which will be announced during halftime of the Super Bowl XLVI.
Along with Peters, the Falcons' nominees included TE Michael Palmer, WR Harry Douglas and LS Joe Zelenka.
The Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback award honors volunteers in Georgia (ages 13 and over) who exemplify leadership and dedication to bettering their communities. The Atlanta Falcons recognize that many organizations rely on quality volunteers to create and facilitate programs that benefit many lives throughout the state of Georgia. This award is designed to reward these individuals.
The winners: Dylan Callicotte, James Hamm, Randall Hughes and Kirk Posmantur were selected by a panel of civic and community leaders. A $2,000 grant was awarded to the non-profit organization each winner serves.
In attendance at the dinner were former Atlanta Falcons Man of the Year winners: RB William Andrews, LB Buddy Curry, WR Michael Haynes, FB Ovie Mughelli, CB Christopher Owens, KR/RB Allen Rossum and LB Jessie Tuggle. Owens, the 2010 Atlanta Falcons Man of the Year, announced and introduced Peters as the 2011 winner.
