Sam Acho Tabbed As Bears' Walter Payton Man Of The Year Nominee

(CBS) Bears linebacker Sam Acho has been named his team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, given annually to a player for community service activities as well as excellence on the field.

The award dates back to 1970, and every team nominates one player.

Acho makes regular appearances at Chicago-area schools, hospitals and non-profits and has taken mission trips to Nigeria to provide assistance to those in need. He's now helping fundraise to build hospitals in Nigeria through the Living Hope Christian Ministries, which his parents founded. His parents are from Nigeria.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner will be announced on Feb. 4 in Houston, the night before the Super Bowl. At that time, the 32 nominees will have been whittled down to three finalists.