IAM Assistant Director of Communications DeLane Adams participated as a judge on the panel for the 2026 NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Alan Page Community Award. The panel was responsible for narrowing down 18 candidates to five finalists, with input from over 6,000 fans through an online voting platform.
Other members of the judging panel included Anquan Boldin, a former NFL wide receiver and previous recipient of the award; Mike Jones, a national NFL writer for The Athletic; and Margaret Richardson, Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer at GoFundMe.
The Alan Page Community Award is considered the highest honor given by the NFLPA to a player who demonstrates exceptional community service in their team’s city or hometown. The winner is chosen by a league-wide digital vote among NFL players.
The five finalists for this year’s award were Garett Bolles (Denver Broncos), Dion Dawkins (Buffalo Bills), Nakobe Dean (Philadelphia Eagles), Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens), and Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears). Garett Bolles was named the 2026 winner following votes from his peers.
Bolles received a $100,000 donation from the NFLPA for his GB3 Foundation. The announcement took place on February 3 during the NFLPA’s Super Bowl press conference in San Francisco. Earlier in the season, Bolles had been recognized as Week 1 NFLPA Community MVP after he and his wife opened the Bjorem + Bolles Childhood Apraxia Training Center in Parker, Colorado. This facility trains speech-language pathologists to assess and treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech, inspired by their son Kingston. The center was funded by a significant personal donation from the Bolles family and aims to provide specialized education and resources for children with apraxia.
“It was an honor to represent the IAM Union and the labor movement on this distinguished panel,” said Adams. “The commitment these NFL players demonstrate to their communities mirrors the same dedication other union members show every day in serving their neighbors and fellow workers. I want to thank Brandon Parker, NFLPA director of media and community relations, for inviting me to be part of this important process. Congratulations to Denver Broncos’ Garett Bolles on this well-deserved recognition, and to all 18 outstanding candidates who are making a real difference in people’s lives.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has maintained ties with the NFL Players Association since its early years when it provided office space at IAM Headquarters.
“The IAM Union is proud to have DeLane representing the IAM in the judging of these remarkable athletes who understand that real leadership means lifting up your community,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “The NFLPA’s Community MVP campaign is a tremendous program. I want to congratulate Denver Broncos’ Garett Bolles and all the other finalists. They represent the best of what it means to be a union member, standing up for those who need it most.”
Since its inception in 1967, the Alan Page Community Award has recognized players’ civic contributions each year. In 2018, it was renamed after Alan Page—a Pro Football Hall of Famer who also served on Minnesota’s Supreme Court—honoring his legacy as both an athlete and advocate for social justice.
As part of its broader efforts to support civic engagement among its members, each weekly Community MVP selected by an internal committee receives a $10,000 donation from the union toward their nonprofit organization.
