The Tennessee Titans annonced today that linebacker Keith Bulluck has been named the 2006 Titans Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner. Bulluck was selected by a majority vote from his teammates, Titans staff, members of teh news media and local non-profit and community executives for his dedicated community service.

Bulluck is now a finalist for the league-wide 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This prestigious NFL award has been in existence since 1970 and is the only NFL award that honors players who demonstrate outstanding balance in their lives between civic and professional responsibilities. In 1999, the NFL renamed the award after the late Walter Payton.as a tribute to his greatness, both on and off the field.

In one of the closest votes ever, Bulluck was selected from a group of finalists that included Drew Bennett, Erron Kinney, Travis LaBoy, Peter Sirmon, David Thornton and Bobby Wade for this prestigious award. The finalists were named "Titans 2006 Community All-Stars" for their significant community service contributions.

"I am very proud of the terrific charitable work done by Keith, the Community All-Stars and so many others in the Titans organization," said Titans Owner/President K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. "It is very important to my wife(Nancy)and me that everyone in the Titans organization accepts their responsibility to help improve the lives of those less fortunate and Keith and these players have clearly done just that with their dedication to helping others."

In the spring of 2003, Keith Bulluck founded The Keith Bulluck Believe and Achieve Foundation in effort to give back to a community he knows well. Specifically, he focused his time in the off-season and philanthropic efforts to benefit children in the foster care system. As a former foster child himself, Bulluck has overcome many obstacles in his life to become a hero in the eyes of children as well as adults. Bulluck's purpose in establishing his foundation is to "level the playing field" for children in foster care by giving them the same priveleges and opportunities as those in more fortunate circumstances. Bulluck is accomplishing this through programs that provide educational and financial assistance to participants. Bulluck, through his foundation, raises thousands of dollars on an annual basis to benefit children in foster care as well as underpriveleged children.

"I would like to congratulate all of the nominees this year and thank them for countless hours that they devote to the mid-South," said Coach Jeff Fisher. "I am pleased that Keith is being recognized for more than he does on the field. He is a terrific player and is committed to making our community a better place."

The Keith Bulluck Believe and Achieve Foundation forged a partnership with New Horizons to benefit youth ages of 17 and 21 to obtain valuable training in computer network technology. After completion of the one year course, the participants receive their certification and assistance with internship and job placement.

For the younger kids, Bulluck hosts an annual "Back to School" Book Bag Party to promote the importance of education and being prepared for school at Rocketown. There were over 70 children from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) ranging from 5 to 11 years old that attended this event. Buluck also invited 50 teenagers from DCS to the Titans Traning Camp to watch the team practice. In addition, Bulluck believes that reading is essentail to a child's development and began the Keith Bulluck Book Club where he gives participants t-shirts recongnizing them as members of his book club and recommends books for them to read that he enjoyed reading as a child.

Bulluck also finds various ways to give back through hosting charitable fundraising events and special parties for the kids. Bulluck hosted his 3rd Annual Halloween party for over 100 children from the Agape Center, Youth Villages, Tennessee Department of Children's Service and the Preston Taylor Boys and Girls Club. He handed out candy, visited with the kids and autographed trading cards that were given to each child.

Bulluck is also passionate about the importance of family during the holiday season. Because of his belief, Bulluck provides a complete turkey dinner to over 200 foster families in the Nashville area. He also ensures that the foster children enjoy the Christmas season by fulfilling the wish lists for approximately 100 children in state custody. Bulluck passes out toys during a special breakfast celebration each year. The children are able to interact with Bulluck one on one during breakfast. This event is again scheduled for the 2006 holiday season. In addition, Bulluck also assisted a local Boys & Girls Club with a shopping spree at an area toy store with kids.

Bulluck recently hosted his First Annual Wine and Roses Wine Tasting Event to benefit children in foster care. He also purchases a total of 150 game tickets for his "Believe and Achievers" foster children to attend each Titans home game. These tickets are disributed among organizations and group homes housing youth in the state's custody. This provides these young ones an opportunity to attend a professional sporting event as an incentive or reward opportunity.

Bulluck also serves as the National Spokesperson for Foster Care Awareness Month due to his continued dedication to making a difference in the lives of foster children. He encourages foster parents to be compassionate and patient with the kids in their custody because he understands what they are going through at that age.

Bulluck was also named Titans Spokesperson for the "What Moves U" Campaign, featuring him and a foster child on the cover of a team brochure that encourages you to get more physically active.

For more information on The Keith Bulluck Believe and Achieve Foundation, visit www.believeandachieve.org.