After the unfortunate news of Tony Boselli missing the cut for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Josh Allen not being named defensive rookie of the year, the Jacksonville Jaguars can at least celebrate one honors victory. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell won the final award given out at the NFL Honors show, and that was the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Well deserved for the Mayor.@calaiscampbell is the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.#WPMOY pic.twitter.com/ScTXhXNuAg
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) February 1, 2020
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award recognizes a player for their work within the community, as well as their excellence on the field.
Campbell was one of 32 to win the award for his respective team. During Sunday’s Super Bowl game, 2018’s Man of the Year, Chris Long, will handoff the award to Campbell being that he’s the latest to win its honors.
Since signing with the Jags in 2017, Campbell has been great for the Jags both on and off the field. He’s been a huge part of various charitable events for the Jacksonville community (and other communities), including hosting two Christmas with Calais events during the holidays where he takes several local Jacksonville kids on a shopping spree. He’s also done multiple visits for military programs like the NFL’s Salute to Service program and the Jaguars For a Day program amongst notables.
In 2009, Campbell created the CRC Foundation alongside his mother, Natea. The foundation is named in honor of his late father, Charles Campbell, and is dedicated to teaching life skills to young people. His exemplary work through the charity and others earned him the Bart Starr award last year, which is given to those who exemplify outstanding character and leadership on and off the field.
On the field, Campbell accumulated 56 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2019, which was good enough to land him in this third consecutive Pro Bowl with the Jags. After last week’s annual all-star game, Campbell was named the Pro Bowl’s defensive MVP after causing a key forced fumble in the last quarter and registering a tackle and a sack.