Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey selected as team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 30: Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before his game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on December 30, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey has been selected as the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.

Pouncey has had a huge impact on the Pittsburgh community. According to the team, his mission was to bring Pittsburgh police and the community together.

“This is big for me and my brother (Mike),” said Pouncey, immediately giving credit to his twin brother, Mike Pouncey, as well. “We like to give back to the community, especially where we are from and the cities where we play. I have gotten a lot of support in both areas. It would be crazy just to pick the place where I grew up, and not here in Pittsburgh too. I just love the people here. Working with the police, knowing how good of people they are. It’s too hard not to give back. I wouldn’t feel right. I couldn’t sleep."

Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey started the Team Pouncey Foundation. The mission of that foundation is to promote future success for disadvantage youth by assisting programs which provide opportunities for at risk youth. They have donated more than $10 million to those organizations through the years.

For the past three seasons, Maurkice Pouncey has also donated Steelers tickets to Pittsburgh police for them to take kids in city neighborhoods to games.

Click here to read more about Pouncey’s nomination