Now in his sixth NFL season, outside linebacker Shaq Thompson has taken on a much larger leadership role for the Carolina Panthers. Thompson has been doing good work for his community all along, though.
Today, the team announced that Thompson is their 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. Here’s what No. 54 had to say, per the team website.
“I’m doing it from my heart. . . you know me, you know I don’t like a lot of lights on me. I want to step up as a leader — let my voice be heard and my face be shown.”
As for Thompson’s work on the field, he had some troubles in the middle of the season but has come on strong over the last several games. He’s totaled 87 combined tackles (four for a loss), five passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Last year, former Carolina quarterback Cam Newton was the team’s nominee.
