Every year, all 32 teams pick one of their own players to represent them for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. This year, the Baltimore Ravens have designated offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman as the team’s nominee.
On the field, Bozeman has been a consistent starter for Baltimore at left guard. While the entire offensive line has been ravaged with injuries and an outbreak of COVID-19, seeing six different starting combinations, Bozeman has been an anchor at left guard. With the Ravens’ playoff hopes likely resting on the team’s rushing attack, Bozeman and the rest of the offensive line are truly the driving force as Baltimore pushes for a postseason berth.
But the Walter Payton Man of the Year award isn’t just about how a player performs on Sundays. Instead, the focus is on the good a player does within their own community and few can rival Bozeman’s efforts there.
Bradley and his wife Nikki Bozeman created their foundation in 2018 to work to educate at-risk children and their families about the dangers of childhood bullying. Their foundation reinforces some of the same principles found in football — having respect for others and standing up for the more vulnerable among us. This offseason, the couple traveled around the country to take the message directly to kids in schools, though the trip was ultimately cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation has also worked to combat food insecurity within Baltimore. The Bozemans started a meal distribution at Mount Pleasant Ministries in Baltimore, helping deliver 21,000 meals to over 300 families since September. They also hosted a drive-thru Thanksgiving dinner pickup event that fed over 500 families. The couple also created a special Halloween event that allowed children to dress up in their costumes and safety trick-or-treat.
The Bozeman family has been nothing short of amazing for Baltimore and children around the country. As the Ravens’ nominee, Bozeman will receive a minimum of up to $50,000 donated to his charity of choice while the eventual 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner will receiver a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
Makes sure to go on Twitter and vote for Bozeman with: “#WPMOYChallenge Bradley Bozeman.” The player with the most votes will receive $25,000 to the charity of their choice.
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