Thanks to players like Jason Witten, not all Dallas Cowboys' news is negative.

Leave it to the living legend to always inject a much-needed ray of sunshine into the headlines, proving yet again he's one of -- if not arguably the -- No. 1 Cowboy of all-time. Witten is always sure to use the influence he's garnered over the course of his 14-year Hall of Fame-worthy career to positively impact lives of as many people as possible.

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His philanthropism and on-the-field prowess is being rewarded in a poignant way beginning in 2017, with the very prestigious "Collegiate Man of the Year" now carrying his name. Much like the NFL's version -- the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which he won in 2012 -- this award honors excellence both on and off the field.

This is the inaugural season for the honor, and Witten has now revealed the 2018 honoree to be linebacker Shaquem Griffin from the University of Central Florida, who ultimately beat out a field of 154 other nominees for the award. Griffin was honored in an official ceremony held at The Star in Frisco, TX on February 22, and Witten was beaming with pride in seeing it all come to fruition for both Griffin and his SCORE Foundation.

Griffin's story is well-known and utterly courageous, with the LB overcoming a condition known as amniotic band syndrome, which caused the fingers on his left hand to not fully develop. The severe pain from the underdeveloped fingers led his mother to have hand amputated, but Griffin never allowed his disability to halt his ability. As he now prepares to prove himself at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, IN, his journey is one that warms everyone's heart -- especially Witten's.

“That’s what tonight is all about, three great student-athletes that embody all the traits that you want, not only in a teammate but in a student-athlete, how they carry themselves on campus and certainly on the football field,” he said, via the team's official website. “When you see some of his highlights and you see the kid play, it’s really remarkable. Over the last 20, 25 years of my life I’ve been playing football. "To think to do that without one of my limbs, it’s really remarkable, just the fact that he’s out there, he’s out there on that stage playing big-time Division 1 college football. And then to be good and to be successful, it shows his courage, his toughness, and really he has no quit in him.”

For his part, and despite his hard work, Griffin is still humbled by the honor.

“Whoever thought a kid like me, growing up where I’m from and going through all the adversity I had," said the UCF star. "To be able to have the opportunity to be here for a major award and a major event.”

Griffin will now receive a $10,000 gift towards UCF's athletic scholarship fund directly from Witten's SCORE Foundation. His journey is far from over, with his sights set on being an impact player in the NFL, as he was in his days as a Knight.

“I’m happy, I’m blessed,” he said. “It was a long road, and just to have the opportunity to be able to talk before you and receive this award, it just goes to show that what I’m doing is the right thing. If I’m starting a tradition, I want to keep that going.”

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