The NFL has announced the 32 nominees for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and the Miami Dolphins’ representative is a newcomer to South Florida but no stranger to the gridiron or to making a difference — first year Miami Dolphin Byron Jones is this year’s nominee. Here’s the background on the award, as stated on the award’s overview page:
“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. The award was established in 1970. It was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community.”
We are proud to announce our #WPMOY nominee, @Byron31Jump! Since arriving in Miami, Byron worked to establish our team's Social Impact Committee.
Read More > https://t.co/iesnsQ41Cc pic.twitter.com/gJFa9Zz6EE
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 10, 2020
Jones’ work on the Social Impact Committee is a primary catalyst to his representation on the list of nominees for 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
“My wish for the Social Impact Committee is to just make the small, incremental changes. Understanding what we want to get done isn’t going to happen overnight, so just slowly taking steps into leveling the playing field for education and just encouraging people to help and try to understand that you have a voice. You have power. But you have to organize and you have to believe in yourself,” said Jones when discussing his role in the Dolphins’ committee.
Three Miami Dolphins have won this award — starting with center Dwight Stephenson back in 1985, Dan Marino in 1998 and Jason Taylor in 2007. Given all of the time the Dolphins as a team have invested into the community over the past several seasons, it may be time for the Dolphins to add a fourth — they’ll certainly help any nominee offer a worthy resume for the distinguished award.
The award will be among those given out at the annual NFL Honors at the end of the 2020 season.