WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has been chosen by SI.com writer Andy Gray as his personal choice for Sports Illustrated’s 2006 Sportsman of the Year award. Gray’s pick is based on WWE’s upcoming Tribute to the Troops tour.

“While five days may not seem like much of a commitment, it's five more days than any other professional sports team spent in Iraq this year. More importantly, the company doesn't make a dime off the trip. It's simply a way for McMahon and the rest of the WWE to say thank you to a group of people who are too often overlooked,” Gray wrote on SI.com’s My Sportsman site.

Other SI.com writers’ picks include NFL’s Peyton Manning and Tiki Barber, MLB’s Jim Leyland and NASCAR’s Mark Martin. Past Sportsman of the Year award recipients include the 2004 Boston Red Sox and their fans, the PGA’s Tiger Woods and NBA’s Michael Jordan. The prestigious award will be announced on Dec. 4.