Three of the 32 nominees will be selected as finalists, and the winner will be announced in Minneapolis at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 3, the night before Super Bowl LII, from 8-10 p.m. on NBC.

"I'm proud and extremely humbled to be nominated for the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award," said Johnson. "Everywhere I go, I try my best to represent my family, my home and my team. This is truly an honor."

"Michael never hesitates to step up," said head coach Marvin Lewis. "He feels the need and passion to go over and above to mentor and support our young people. He is a role model on and off the field."

Johnson has been committed to giving back since his rookie season in the league. The mission of the MJ93-90 Foundation is to educate children on the importance of capitalizing on their talents and abilities with mentorship, educational programming and encouraging them to have a vision for success. Johnson recently started a program encouraging kids and the Cincinnati Police Department to strengthen their relationship by strengthening their understanding of one another. This year's program includes a community service component where the kids and officers volunteer together.