Barry Stokes Honored as Detroit Lions Man of the Year
Stokes Honored by Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Barry Stokes, a four time letter winner at Eastern Michigan (1992-95) and a first-team all-MAC selection in 1995, is the team's NFL Man of the Year. Stokes is thus a finalist for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year honor.
The release as provided by the Detroit Lions communications department follows.
BARRY STOKES NAMED LIONS’ ROBERT PORCHER MAN OF THE YEAR
ALLEN PARK, MICH. ? Offensive lineman Barry Stokes has been selected as the Detroit Lions’ 2006 Robert Porcher Man of the Year, which recognizes off-the-field community service as well as playing excellence. Stokes is one of 32 finalists, one from each NFL team, who receives $1,000 for his foundation and is a finalist for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year honor.
In his ninth year in the NFL and first full season with the Lions, Stokes has proven to be an outstanding citizen in the Detroit community and across his home state of Michigan through his efforts away from the field.
The mission of the Barry Stokes Foundation is to offer hope for a better tomorrow for the youth of the community as they grow spiritually, athletically and academically. The Barry Stokes Foundation supports the following charities: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Barry Stokes Youth Football, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Locks of Love and The Davison High School Scholarship Fund.
Named after Barry in 2004, the Barry Stokes Youth Football League provides over 900 Davison area youth the opportunity to learn life lessons about teamwork, perseverance and dedication. The league features 24 teams of kids from age 7-13, as well as cheerleaders for each team. The youth are taught fundamentals which will serve them well as they advance in the game. The opportunity to assist the football league brings Barry Stokes full circle, having begun his football career as a member of the Davison Steelers.
In June of 2004, The Barry Stokes Foundation with a donation of $10,000 from Home Depot and support from Central Michigan Construction and many others in the community, completed work on a new storage building and workshop for the league. The Foundation also supplies funds to provide scholarships for children who cannot afford to participate, as well as funding to keep equipment up to date and safe for the players.
Last season Barry decided to commit to growing his hair out in support of one of the children he supports through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. One of the criteria for donating your hair to Locks of Love is that it must be at least 12 inches long. He reached the 12-inch mark in November 2005.
Locks of Love is a not-for-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 with medical hair loss. These custom-fitted hair prosthetics are provided free of charge or on a sliding scale to children whose families meet the Locks of Love Board of Directors guidelines.
Having grown up in Davison, Michigan, Stokes feels it is important to give back to those who helped him be successful. “I was blessed by a strong support group of teachers, coaches and families. That support, love and encouragement gave me the strength, perseverance and dedication that has pushed me to a successful NFL career,” said Stokes. Barry has created a scholarship fund at Davison High School, which awards scholarships to student-athletes who show a spirit of dedication, determination and academic excellence. The goal is to create an endowment to fund these scholarships in future years.
The overall Man of the Year winner will be announced during NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s annual press conference prior to Super Bowl XLI in Miami. The prestigious award was renamed in 1999 for the legendary Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame running back. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award has been given annually since 1970.
