Tag: walter payton man of the year award

Bucs nominate Antoine Winfield Jr. for Walter Payton Man of the Year award

Antoine Winfield Jr. is a force to be reckoned with on the field, but he’s also a force for good off of it.

Plenty of football players make a difference on the field, but not all of them also make a difference off of it. The NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award commemorates those who do, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their nominee.

The team announced that safety [autotag]Antoine Winfield Jr.[/autotag] is set to be the nominee for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Winfield Jr. is the team’s third nominee in as many years, as wide receiver Mike Evans was the nominee in 2021 and defensive tackle William Gholston was the nominee in 2022.

Here is what Winfield Jr. had to say about his nomination, per a release from the team:

“It means everything to me to be nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year. Every year, the organization has the opportunity to nominate an individual and this was a goal that I set for myself. It’s great to not only be nominated, but to have the platform of this great award to now shed light on some of the most pressing issues in our community.”

Winfield Jr. has done good work with foster kids, supporting both Heart Gallery of Tampa and A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay in his charitable work. Winfield Jr. has also been a big part of the Bucs’ Youth Leadership Program and has done work for Hillsborough County’s Habitat for Humanity to fund the cost of two Habitat homes in the Temple Terrace community, per the team. While a nominee, Winfield Jr. will don the Walter Payton Man of the Year decal on his helmet for the rest of the 2023 season.

The team has only had one Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner, with linebacker Derrick Brooks winning the award in 2000 alongside Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jim Flanigan.

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Tyrann Mathieu is the Saints’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

Tyrann Mathieu has been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for the second time, this time playing for his hometown team

The New Orleans Saints have nominated safety Tyrann Mathieu for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. For many around the league this is considered the most prestigious award the NFL hands out every year. The award is based on a player’s contributions in the community away from the field as well as their on-field production. This award is placed on a pedestal because it values who the player truly is.

This is Mathieu’s second time being nominated. In 2021, Mathieu was the Kansas City Chiefs’ nominee. Clearly, he ingratiates himself into the community he plays in. That was no hard task in New Orleans, as coming to the Saints meant returning to his hometown. His involvement and impact on the city has only grown since joining the Saints.

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Ravens LB Roquan Smith nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

The Baltimore Ravens have nominated All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith for the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year award

The NFL today announced the 32 nominees for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and the Baltimore Ravens’ selection is All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award honors players who excel on the field and demonstrate a passion for creating a lasting positive impact beyond the game.

 

All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LVIII. The Man of the Year winner will be announced during NFL Honors, a prime-time awards special to air nationally on CBS on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Eagles’ OL Lane Johnson nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

Lane Johnson is Eagles nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

The Philadelphia Eagles have announced Lane Johnson as its 2023 nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide.

Considered one of the league’s most prestigious honors, the award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities and excellence on the field.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named the Eagles’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year alongside an inspiring group of men who are making a difference in their communities,” said Johnson. “I’ve been fortunate to spend my entire career playing for an organization and city that has embraced me at my best, but more importantly, supported me and helped me through some of my darkest moments. Playing this game has always been a passion of mine, but being able to share my mental health journey through the platform football has given me has been a rewarding experience. I’m grateful to have had a strong support system, and my hope is to support others who are suffering in silence by opening doors for them to feel comfortable enough sharing their stories.”

All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LVIII. The 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on CBS on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Harrison Phillips named Vikings Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

Harrison Phillips earned the team’s nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

The Minnesota Vikings have nominated nose tackle Harrison Phillips for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Phillips was informed of the nomination during a Playmakers in Minnesota event at WhirlyBall Twin Cities.

He wasn’t just doing an in-person event, but also joining virtual events and in Buffalo, NY and Omaha, NE.

Phillips has been heavily involved with charity work since before he joined the National Football League while attending Stanford University. He started Harrison’s Playmakers to help kids with social, physical and economic challenges.

Last season, wide receiver Adam Thielen was the Vikings nominee for the award.

Congratulations to Phillips for earning the Vikings nominee for the award, which will be given out during NFL Honors the week of the Super Bowl.

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Dawuane Smoot is Jaguars nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year

Dawuane Smoot is a nominee for one of the NFL’s most prestigious honors.

Jacksonville Jaguars veteran outside linebacker Dawuane Smoot is the team’s nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

The Jaguars made the announcement on the video scoreboards Monday night during the first quarter of a Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Smoot, 28, was the Jaguars’ third-round selection in the 2017 NFL draft and is the longest tenured member of the team’s defense. He spent much of the 2023 offseason as a free agent after suffering an Achilles tear late in the 2022 season, but was re-signed by the Jaguars before training camp.

In seven seasons with the Jaguars, Smoot has 23.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss.

For My Cause My Cleats week, Smoot wore cleats supporting The Elsie Academy, a bilingual preschool he and his wife are in the process of opening in Jacksonville.

Former Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell is the only player from the team to ever win the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which has existed since 1970.

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Jaylon Johnson developing connection with Charles Tillman

After being nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Jaylon Johnson is building a relationship with Charles Tillman.

For years, the number 33 Chicago Bears jersey was donned by one of the best cornerbacks to ever play at Soldier Field, Charles Tillman. Nowadays, that number is worn by another young up-and-coming cornerback in Jaylon Johnson, who hopes to follow in the footsteps of Tillman both on and off the field.

Johnson is establishing a connection with Tillman upon being named the Bears’ 2022 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award thanks to his philanthropy and impact in the community. Johnson was able to meet Tillman, who won the award in 2013, personally for the first time and spoke about the experience during his weekly radio hit on 670 The Score’s Parkins & Spiegel show.

“I just met [Tillman] for the first time during the Walter Payton interviews,” Johnson said. “Being able to talk to him, up close and personal, talk about personal things, talk about football. Just us two, not seeing him in a team setting or him giving the team a speech, but actually being able to shake his hand, talk to him, look him in the eye. I just got his number so that relationship will end up growing.”

If there’s one cornerback to learn from, it’s Tillman. From 2003-2014, Tillman was a physical defender who crafted a skill of stripping the football away from ball carriers that no one has been able to replicate with the “Peanut Punch.” Tillman has 44 career forced fumbles and hold NFL records for most forced fumbles in a season (12) and in a game (4).

He was a leader for years on some of the greatest Bears defenses of all time and now hopefully he shares his secrets with Johnson. The third-year pro has one forced fumble and one interception as he gets ready to play the final four games of the 2022 season.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be announced during the NFL Honors prior to the Super Bowl in February.

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LB Christian Kirksey shares thoughts on being Texans’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee

Houston Texans linebacker Christian Kirksey says that it is an honor to be the team’s nominee for the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

The NFL announced the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominees per all 32 clubs on Tuesday.

Linebacker Christian Kirksey was named the Texans’ nominee, and the ninth-year veteran shared what being nominated means.

“Truly, I have a lot of my teammates that go out in the community and do such a great job that in my opinion could be nominated as well,” Kirksey said. “I appreciate that the organization nominated me for it. I think that comes with being a football player. I know a lot of people see us on Sunday playing a game that we love, making plays, making tackles, touchdowns and all that stuff, but most importantly, it’s the people that are looking up to you.”

Kirksey elaborated that using the platform of pro football to give back to the Houston community sets a good example for youngsters that they can similarly impact their communities — and not need to be an NFL linebacker to do so.

Said Kirksey: “That you might be a kid’s role model. You’ve got to go out and help those that are in need. That’s our responsibility as football players. Not only just to play on Sunday, but to go out in our communities and be that hero for everybody. That’s my philosophy on what it means to be in the community and to actually be present there.”

Kirksey has collected 86 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, six tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, an interception, a fumble recovery, and three pass breakups through all 12 of his starts in 2022.

Tyler Shatley nominated for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Tyler Shatley was recognized for his charitable work in the Jacksonville community.

Jacksonville Jaguars veteran offensive lineman Tyler Shatley was named a nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award on Tuesday morning.

“Without exception, everyone welcomed the news and was thrilled for Tyler and his family,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said in a statement. “Tyler is a terrific teammate and a man of high character and integrity, who long ago established himself as a leader in our building and in the Jacksonville community, so it is fitting that he be recognized for such a prestigious league honor.”

Shatley, 31, is in his ninth season with the Jaguars, making him the longest-tenured player on the roster. While he began the year in a reserve role, Shatley has stepped up as the team’s starting left guard after Ben Bartch suffered a season-ending injury in October.

Other players around the NFL who were nominated for the award Tuesday include stars like Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, and Saquon Barkley.

Shatley is involved in numerous charitable causes, including Wolfson Warriors, Feeding Northeast Florida, Ronald McDonald House, Sponsored By GRACE, and SeaMark Ranch.

All 32 nominees for the award will be recognized for their community work during Super Bowl weekend and the winner — who receives a $250,000 donation to their charity of choice — will be announced during the NFL Honors show. The 31 nominees who don’t receive the award will get a $40,000 donation to their charity of choice.

Eagles’ DE Brandon Graham nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

Philadelphia Eagles long-time defensive end Brand Graham is the organization’s nominee for the Walter Payton #NFL Man of the Year Award#WPMOYChallenge | #WPMOY

The Philadelphia Eagles have announced Brandon Graham as its 2022 nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide.

Considered one of the league’s most prestigious honors, the award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named the Eagles’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year,” said Graham. “My journey in Philadelphia over the past 13 years has been a humbling one. This city has embraced me and supported me throughout my career. It’s been a blessing to not only play in front of the best fans in the NFL, but to have the chance to give back to a community that has now become my home. I’ve cherished every moment of this journey, and I’m grateful to be recognized alongside an inspiring group of men who are making a difference in their communities.”

As a nominee for the national award, Brandon will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.

All 32 team winners will be highlighted as nominees and recognized for their important work during the week leading up to Super Bowl LVII. The 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air the Thursday before Super Bowl LVII, on NBC.

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