Chiefs nominate TE Travis Kelce for 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

This is Kelce’s first time nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

The NFL has announced the players nominated by each of the 32 NFL teams for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. One of the highest honors given out yearly by the NFL, the award signifies on-field excellence combined with a commitment to serving their communities off the field.

For the first time in several seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs have a new player that they’ve chosen as their nominee to receive the prestigious award. Alex Smith was nominated for the award by the team in 2016 and 2017. For the past two years, Dustin Colquitt had been the nominee for the team. Now, Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has been nominated for the first time, recognizing his incredible play on the field and his work with the 87 & Running Foundation off of the field.

“We are thrilled to have Travis Kelce represent the Chiefs organization and the Kansas City community as our nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a press release. “From the time he was drafted in 2013, Travis has grown into one of the most dependable and dynamic players in team history – both on and off the football field. He continues to be the best tight end in the game, and he is well on his way to being remembered as one of greatest ever to play the position.

“Travis’ commitment to winning is surpassed only by his enthusiasm for helping young people in Kansas City and his hometown of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Through his 87 & Running Foundation and his work with Operation Breakthrough, Travis provides disadvantaged youth with the resources they need to discover their personal passions as well as mentoring and motivation to help them be successful. We are very proud to call Travis a member of our Chiefs family, and we believe he is a deserving candidate for this prestigious honor.”

Kelce recently became the first tight end in NFL history to record five 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He’s in the midst of a career season that could pace the NFL’s receiving record by a tight end, previously set by Kelce and then surpassed hours later by George Kittle.

Off the field, most recently Kelce and his foundation have been working with Operation Breakthrough to create a STEM learning space called “Ignition Lab” for underserved teens. He announced his latest contribution hours after he signed an extension keeping him in Kansas City for six more seasons.

“Being nominated as the Chiefs Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” Kelce said. “This team and this community have been an incredibly important part of my life for the past eight years, and I’m humbled because there are so many players who are also doing so much to serve others and are deserving of this recognition. The 87 & Running Foundation began to help disadvantaged youth by mentoring and motivating them to explore and develop their abilities and aspire beyond their circumstances. I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done and want to thank my foundation team for their dedication and the Chiefs for their support of this important work. What I’ve accomplished on the field alongside my teammates over the years – especially last year – means so much more knowing that what has been accomplished off of the field is making a difference in the lives of others here in Kansas City and in my hometown of Cleveland Heights.”

All 32 nominees will receive a $40,000 donation to a charity of their choice and are set to be recognized ahead of the NFL Honors ceremony leading up to Super Bowl LV. The winner of the Walter Payton Award will receive a $250,000 donation to a charity of their choice all complements of the NFL and Nationwide.

Chiefs fans can support Kelce by voting on Twitter using the #WPMOYChallenge followed by the nominees’ last name. If Kelce receives the most votes between Dec. 10 and Jan. 17, he will receive a $25,000 contribution to a charity of his choice.

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