Peyton Manning Named 2010 National Pathfinder Award
Recipient
INDIANAPOLIS-Indianapolis Colts quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Peyton Manning will be honored with the 2010 National Pathfinder Award at the annual Pathfinder Awards Banquet on Sunday, June 20, at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pathfinder Awards, co-presented by Indiana Sports Corporation and Indiana Black Expo, annually recognize individuals for their contributions and dedication to youth.
The awards banquet is held in conjunction with the 23rd annual Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament. Since its inception in 1988, Youthlinks Indiana has raised more than $5.9 million in event proceeds that have been distributed back into the community to support youth-based sports programs and initiatives through CHAMPS (Champions in Life) grants and other programs.
"We are extremely honored to be recognizing Peyton Manning as this year's National Pathfinder Award recipient," Youthlinks Indiana Chairman Dennis Bassett said. "His success on the football field is only outdone by his tremendous work through the PeyBack Foundation in Indiana, Louisiana and Tennessee."
Manning has focused his efforts off the field on helping underprivileged youth through the PeyBack Foundation. He formed the foundation in 1999 to promote the future success of disadvantaged youth by aiding programs that provide the necessary leadership and growth opportunities for those kids that are at risk. The foundation has distributed more than $3.6 million through its programs and grants to organizations in Indiana, Tennessee and Louisiana.
One of the PeyBack Foundation's largest events is the PeyBack Classic. Launched in 2000, the event enables central Indiana high school football teams to play a regular season game in Lucas Oil Stadium. The game gives high school football players a chance to play in a professional football setting and each school receives a portion of the ticket sales.
Through his PeyBack Foundation, Manning also established the PeyBack Award in 2002 to recognize an individual associated with football that achieved a high level of success in the sport and was also distinguished through their philanthropic work. The award is given out in conjunction with the PeyBack Bowl, which gives Manning and other celebrities a chance to hit the bowling lanes to raise money for underprivileged children in Indianapolis. The event has raised over $2 million for the foundation.
The PeyBack Foundation is also active with Child Advocates, conducting an annual flag football game that pits a team from Child Advocates versus another team from Indianapolis-area youth centers. The foundation and Child Advocates also came together to institute Peyton's Pals, a program that selects 20 middle school students to participate in community service initiatives or cultural, educational or recreational outings.
One of Manning's greatest accomplishments in the Indianapolis community, however, is his work with St. Vincent Hospital. In 2004, Manning and St. Vincent established the True Heroes program. Three years later, in recognition of his commitment to giving back to children and the community, St. Vincent renamed its children's hospital the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent.
On the field, 2009 was another banner year Manning. He won his NFL-record fourth MVP award and was named to his 10th Pro Bowl after throwing for 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns. He extended an NFL record this past season with his 10th career 4,000 -yardage season and also became the only quarterback in NFL history to open his career with 12 consecutive 25 -TD seasons and 12 consecutive 3,000 -yard seasons.
The four-time and reigning NFL MVP won his first three awards in 2003, 2004 and 2008. He was also named Super Bowl XLI MVP after the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears, 29-17. In 2009, Manning led the Colts to their second Super Bowl appearance in the last four years, before falling to the New Orleans Saints, 31-17.
Manning started all 16 games at quarterback in 2009, extending his consecutive games started streak to 192. The streak ranks as the second-longest in NFL history among quarterbacks behind Brett Favre (285). His mark of 131 starting wins is fourth all-time among quarterbacks and his 4,232 completions ranks third on the NFL all-time list. He ranks third all-time with 366 career touchdowns and his 50,128 career passing yards ranks fourth all-time. He is just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 50,000 yards and is the fastest of that group to do so.
The Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament will take place Monday, June 21, at four premier central Indiana golf courses: Broadmoor Country Club, Crooked Stick Golf Club, The Sagamore Club and Woodland Country Club.
The Hole-in-one sponsors of the event include Anthem, Browning Investments, Eli Lilly & Company, Hoosiers Work for Health, NCAA, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Sport Graphics.
For more information on Youthlinks Indiana and to purchase a golf package or Pathfinder Awards Banquet tickets, contact Chris Brelage of Indiana Sports Corporation at (317) 237-5035 or chris.brelage@indianasportscorp.com. Additional information can be found at www.indianasportscorp.com/events/youthlinks.
-indiana sports corp-
