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NFL Man of the Year Nominees 2021 | Chargers | NFL.com

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COREY LINSLEY

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Table inside Article
Position College Years in the NFL
Center Ohio State University 8

Demonstrates Excellence on The Field

In his 8th NFL season, Corey Linsley is regarded as one of the best at his position. Corey was voted First-Team All-Pro in 2020 after directing Green Bay's offensive front to the NFC Championship Game. Corey started all 99 career appearances with Green Bay and appeared in four NFC Championship games in his first seven seasons. Through the Charger's first six games this year, Corey has not allowed a sack. His blocking has helped QB Justin Herbert throw for 300+ yards three times and three-plus TDs three times.

Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year

Following the lead of Corey and Anna Linsley's ongoing support of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Chargers Impact Fund committed a $30,000 Digital Divide Grant to CASA Los Angeles for laptops and software subscriptions. To further broaden the impact, Corey and Anna personally pledged $30,000 to be used as a 1:1 match to encourage even more donations. The Linsleys are committed to achieving the vision of CASA Los Angeles and CASA Orange County, ensuring that all children and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have equitable access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

Additionally, Corey and Anna have also committed $20,000 to the Chargers Impact Fund "Community Corner" program that provides complimentary tickets for Chargers homes games to youth and community organizations. Corey's tickets were earmarked this season for high school football teams, Boys & Girls Club youth, and CASA children/families in the welfare system.

Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past

Throughout his first seven years in the NFL, Corey has been a staunch supporter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Brown County. This volunteer-based nonprofit organization provides a voice for abused and neglected children who are under the legal protection of the court system through no fault of their own.

Both Corey and his wife Anna have served as CASA advocates, visiting children to whom they are assigned regularly and submitting monthly reports to the judge on the children's safety and wellbeing. The Linsley family has also helped direct donations to CASA from the Packers and the NFL social justice initiative, totaling $100,000 between 2019 and 2020. They have served as state spokespeople for Wisconsin CASA, attending special events and appearing in PSAs and advertisements.

Notable among the many ways Corey has previously demonstrated his commitment to the community is his efforts to raise funds for the family of his Packers "bike kid" Travis Kohlbeck. When the Kohlbeck family faced various health challenges, his time was used hosting Play60 events for students with special needs and his many appearances at fellow teammates' charitable fundraisers.

While at Ohio State, Corey was active in the 2nd and 7 Foundation, which encourages children in need by serving as role models and promotes reading and literacy development by providing free books.

Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back

The excerpt below from Orange County Register reporter Mark Whicker summarizes how Corey demonstrates and models a lifestyle of giving back.

"We had one child whom Corey and Anna had worked with for more than a year," said Kristin Jacobs, the executive director of the Brown County (Wis.) CASA chapter. "He had no idea that Corey was a football player. Then he watched a game that went to overtime, and Corey was at midfield for the coin toss with his helmet off. He said, 'Look, that's my CASA.'''

While Corey was getting squared away in Costa Mesa, Anna was checking out local CASA opportunities.

"We're the voice for the children," Corey said. "They can't testify for themselves in court. I had a pretty comfortable upbringing (in Youngstown, Ohio). I didn't know what a social worker was. A situation like this affects children from all demographics, from all economic groups. Kristin had a connection to us because she's from Youngstown originally. The more we learned, the more we were drawn to this. The fact that not everybody gets that, that not everybody knows what's going on, is tragic."

Andy Herman, who works for Packers.com, commemorated Corey's career by asking fans for $63 donations to CASA since Corey wore 63. In fewer than 12 hours, they had delivered $5,000.

Additionally, his past July, Corey and Anna celebrated the birth of their second child. Despite limitations on the ability to do in-person community work due to COVID-19 restrictions, joining a new team, relocating their family across the country, and having two children under the age of three, the Linsleys continue to make time for giving back. In seven months, Corey has already made an indelible mark on the Chargers organization – from his support of local Southern California CASA chapters and the Chargers Impact Fund off the field to stabilize an offensive line that has already improved by a dozen spots in pressures allowed from a season ago.