The NFL has announced its 32 nominees for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, an honor celebrating players for their outstanding efforts on and off the field. Every NFL team selects one player who has made a significant impact in their community, embodying the spirit of compassion and leadership that Walter Payton exemplified. The winner will be unveiled during the NFL Honors ceremony on February 6, 2024, just days before Super Bowl LIX.
Here’s everything one need to know about this year’s nominees, what the award stands for, and what’s at stake.
What Is the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award?
The award, established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after the legendary Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, recognizes NFL players for their excellence on the field and contributions to their communities.
Each nominee receives a $55,000 donation to the charity of their choice, while the winner will receive up to $265,000 for their selected cause. Starting in Week 14, nominees will wear a special Man of the Year decal on their helmets, and the winner will have the honor of wearing a Man of the Year patch on their jersey for the rest of their career.
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Who Are the 2024 Nominees?
Here’s the full list of this year’s nominees, representing every NFL team:
- Arizona Cardinals: Trey McBride
- Atlanta Falcons: Grady Jarrett
- Baltimore Ravens: Roquan Smith
- Buffalo Bills: Dion Dawkins
- Carolina Panthers: Adam Thielen
- Chicago Bears: Andrew Billings
- Cincinnati Bengals: Orlando Brown Jr.
- Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward
- Dallas Cowboys: Zack Martin
- Denver Broncos: Alex Singleton
- Detroit Lions: Jared Goff
- Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark
- Houston Texans: Jalen Pitre
- Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Arik Armstead
- Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce
- Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby
- Los Angeles Chargers: Cameron Dicker
- Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams
- Miami Dolphins: Alec Ingold
- Minnesota Vikings: C.J. Ham
- New England Patriots: Deatrich Wise Jr.
- New Orleans Saints: Cameron Jordan
- New York Giants: Darius Slayton
- New York Jets: Solomon Thomas
- Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Larry Ogunjobi
- San Francisco 49ers: Curtis Robinson
- Seattle Seahawks: Uchenna Nwosu
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans
- Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons
- Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner
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ICYMI: The NFL announced the 32 nominees for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for 2024 today.https://t.co/9S44It43nZ
— Dynes Sports (@dynessports) December 6, 2024
What Makes This Award Special?
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has called the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award the league’s “most prestigious honor.” It’s not just about the game but about these athletes’ profound impact on their communities.
Nominees are recognized for their efforts in various areas, such as youth mentorship, education, social justice advocacy, and charitable fundraising. Past winners like Dak Prescott, Cameron Heyward, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Whitworth exemplify how football players can use their platforms to make lasting changes.
When Will the Winner Be Announced?
The winner will be revealed during the NFL Honors ceremony, which will air on Thursday, February 6, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET on NFL Network and FOX. As one of the evening’s highlights, this moment will celebrate the nominee who has made the most significant impact off the field.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award isn’t just about football; it’s about recognizing the humanity and leadership of these exceptional players. Whether they’re mentoring kids, funding scholarships, or tackling food insecurity, this year’s nominees have made a real difference. Stay tuned to see who takes home the award and continues Walter Payton’s incredible legacy!
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