If wide receiver Anquan Boldin has played his last game with the 49ers, he could be leaving the franchise in style.

For the second straight year, Boldin, a pending free agent, is one of three finalists for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which recognizes off-the-field contributions to the community. The 49ers have never had a player win the award since its inception in 1970.

The other finalists are Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Saints tight end Ben Watson. The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors Award Show on Feb. 6 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

In 2014, Boldin, 35, donated $1 million to his Q81 foundation, which he established 12 years ago to expand the opportunities of underprivileged children. His foundation grants four-year college scholarships and his Q-Festival in his native Florida provides free weekend entertainment and annually raises about $100,000.

Boldin has also been involved with Oxfam America since 2010, traveling to Ethiopia and Senegal on relief missions. Boldin has met with congressional leaders about abuses in Africa. In 2014, Boldin won the NFLPA’s Byron “Whizzer” White award, a community service honor that provided $100,000 for his foundation.

“What Anquan has done is really unique and it’s going to continue to live on longer than his playing days here,” said 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith, who was also Boldin’s teammate for two seasons with the Ravens. “And I think that says a lot because I think he’s a Hall of Famer.”

Each NFL team nominates a player for the Man of the Year award, and Boldin has been nominated four times with three different teams. Last year, he was a finalist with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who won the award.

“The lives he’s been able to impact, it leaves me in awe,” Davis said. “I definitely feel that he should win the award. He’s very much deserving.”

Boldin, a three-time Pro Bowler, ranks 12th in NFL history in receptions (1,009) and 17th in receiving yards (13,195).

Twitter: @Eric_Branch