The Houston Texans have found their Walter Payton Man of the Year honoree for the 2024 season.
Ask anyone inside the Houston Texans locker room how they feel about Jalen Pitre in one word and you can expect to hear a few crossovers and correlations.
Leader comes to mind.
So does “Captain.”
Hard-working, dedicated, and unrelenting are a few that also fit the mold surrounding the third-year defensive back.
But Man of the Year honoree? That’s a title that must be earned among peers and coaches.
Consider the mission accomplished as of Thursday morning.
Pitre was named theĀ TexansāĀ nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.Ā The award recognizes players who excel on and off the field through their involvement in the community.
This is the first time Pitre has been nominated for the award, which comes on the heels of a breakout season with the AFC South franchise. His dedication to the on-field craft has carried over to his work in the Great Houston community.
A Stafford graduate just outside downtown Houston, Ptire is an advocate for Kidsā Meals Inc., a local nonprofit organization that delivers free, healthy meals to children in need to try to end the widespread problem of childhood hunger.
Last season, he teamed up with Kids’ Meals to lead the “Feed 5 More” campaign that continues today. Through $5 incremental, crowd-sourced donations, his goal is to raise funds to feed 55,555 kids.
“Jalen Pitre is a shining example of an exceptional leader on and off the field,” Houston Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair said. “As a hometown player, we’re so proud of the impact he’s had in our community and look forward to his continued commitment to H-Town for many years to come. Jalen is incredibly deserving of this honor and we know how much this means to him.”
Pitre also serves as a sponsor in the Texans’ Community Huddle Ticket Program this season, which gives people who may not otherwise have a chance to attend an NFL game with a unique experience.Ā Every home game, the Stafford Cobras, the youth football team Pitre played on growing up, are treated to tickets, food vouchers and parking passes at NRG Stadium.
“My parents always taught me that if anyone was in need and we had the means that we should lend a helping hand,” Pitre said. “I’m blessed to be in this position now, and it’s my duty to help and shed light on others who need it. I have a ton of gratitude and appreciation that I was chosen as a nominee for this award. I hope I can continue to inspire and encourage people to help others as much as they can.”
While most people will speak of Pitre’s work off the field, his on-field play has been superb. In 12 games, he’s totaled 44 solo tackles, an interception, two sacks and a career-high eight passes defended.
Last month, Pitre suffered a partial tear to his pectoral muscle against the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 24. While he’s not expected to miss the remainder of the season, there’s no timetable on when he’ll return to the lineup.
Fans can vote for Pitre on the NFLās official website and through social media with the hashtag #WPMOYChallenge.
Each of the leagueās 32 nominees will receive up to a $55,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors show on Feb. 6, and all 32 nominees will be recognized during Super Bowl week in New Orleans.
