The Houston Texans have named linebacker Christian Kirksey as their nominee to receive the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2022. According to the team, Kirksey exemplifies the qualities of what it means to be a Texan both on the field, but especially in the community.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is considered the NFL’s most prestigious, and “recognizes a player for their outstanding community service activities off the field and excellence on the field” according to a release put out by the team on Tuesday.
Texans owner Cal McNair issued a statement with the release in which he expressed his support in nominating Kirksey to receive this highest of honors.
“We are proud to call Christian Kirksey a leader on our team and in the Houston community,” McNair said. “He sets an example for everyone on how to do things on and off the field, and he is incredibly deserving of this honor.”
Kirksey was nominated because of his numerous off-field projects, not only in the Houston area but around Texas as a whole. According to the release, Kirksey helped cement the Texans’ partnership with Texas Southern University last year, awarding a local high school coach with Coach of the Week honors and speaking to high school students about the right way to carry themselves both on and off the field.
He also made a trip to Uvalde, Texas in the wake of the tragedy at Robb Elementary School to surprise the Uvalde High School football team at their team dinner, and provided players with new Nike uniforms.
His good deeds have not gone unnoticed by the Houston community, and Kirksey is more than deserving of the nomination. One player from each team is chosen as a candidate to win the award, and fans will need to wait until the end of the season to find out if Kirksey will be the eventual winner of this cherished accolade.