Tag: Walter Payton Man of the Year

Jared Goff is the Lions nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

Jared Goff is the Lions nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2024

On-field awards are always a nice accolade for players, but off-field ones are just as good. None are bigger than the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, given to the player best recognized for outstanding community service activities, as well as excellent performance on the field.

Each of the 32 teams gets one nominee each year, which is eventually whittled down to three and the winner is announced during Super Bowl week. For the Lions, their nominee this season is quarterback Jared Goff. It is the second time Goff has been nominated for the award.

“Once again, I am humbled to receive this nomination,” Goff said, via the Lions’ official website. “My work off the field is deeply connected to my desire and responsibility to give back to my communities. To be a source of inspiration with the influence that I have is something I take seriously. Myself, my platform, and our partners remain committed to exemplifying the great values this recognition and award represents.”

Between his work helping the youth of Detroit and helping provide college scholarships, Goff has fully integrated himself into the Detroit community. Goff feels like the perfect choice to represent the Lions for one of the most coveted awards in the league.

Dolphins fullback nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year

The Dolphins nominated the same player as last year, recognizing their fullback for his philanthropic efforts.

Miami Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold is the team’s nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year honors, the NFL announced Thursday.

Ingold, 28, joined the Dolphins as a free agent in 2022 after beginning his career with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. Last season, he earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career.

Since joining the Dolphins, Ingold has brought his philanthropic efforts to South Florida, focusing much of his efforts to help children in the child welfare system. The Ingold Family Foundation, founded in 2022, seeks to empower underserved youth in the community.

Ingold was also the Dolphins’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee last year, as well as in 2020 while with the Raiders.

“Alec continues to be an incredible example of what we want Dolphins players to exemplify on the field, in the locker room and in the community, and we couldn’t be prouder to recognize him as our Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee once again,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said in a statement. ‘His commitment and dedication to all he does sets him apart, and his passion for making an impact on kids, especially those who can find inspiration in his own story, is truly remarkable. When Alec’s football journey comes to an end, his impact will continue to carry on – and that is the greatest legacy a player can leave on the game and on the community.”

Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell previously won the award while a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The winner will be announced at NFL Honors, which will be held days ahead of Super Bowl LIX in February.

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Adam Thielen named Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

Adam Thielen has been named the Panthers’ nominee for this year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year honors.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen has been named the organization’s nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

The yearly honor recognizes NFL players for their excellence both on and off the field—highlighting not only their play, but their commitment to their communities through philanthropy work. Thielen, fresh off a season-best performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13, is being honored for the work through his Thielen Foundation—which was founded in 2018 to “help serve, educate and inspire those in need.”

“As my kids get a little older and understand what’s going on understand what’s going on and why we’re receiving an award. It’s not an award for what I’m doing on the football field,” Thielen said of the nomination, via Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com.

“It’s an award of the impact (by) my family, our foundation, all the people that are involved and then the people that supported it here in a new community to us, have supported our foundation, have been really cool.”

The 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient will be announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 6.

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Browns name their Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee

Nominating a player for Walter Payton Man of the Year award every year, the Browns have named Denzel Ward their candidate

Every year, all 32 teams nominate one player to be named their Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and this year, the Cleveland Browns have named cornerback Denzel Ward their candidate.

The NFL awards one player every year and, “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.” Should Ward win the award, he would also receive $250,000 to donate to the charity of his choice.

This is the second time Ward has been nominated for the honor.

Ward is well known for his work off-the-field in making sure that every public gathering place has a defibrillator on site after his father passed away due to a heart attack. Ward has placed devices in YMCAs, gyms, churches, and more all over Northeast Ohio throughout his time in the NFL.

Congrats to Ward and best of luck as he now enters a pool of 32 other players for the prestigious honor of the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Commanders star Terry McLaurin doing great things for the community ahead of training camp

McLaurin is helping the community ahead of camp. He’s also ready to get started with Jayden Daniels.

Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin will begin his sixth NFL training camp this week. For the sixth consecutive year, McLaurin will enter camp with a presumed new starting quarterback.

But before McLaurin reports to Ashburn for training camp on Tuesday, he is busy helping others in the community, specifically at McKinley Middle School in Washington, D.C.

McLaurin was at McKinley Friday for the unveiling of “Terry’s Locker.” What is “Terry’s Locker?”

“Terry’s Locker is designed to provide washers and dryers, not just that but hygienic resources, toiletries, for kids and their families who may not necessarily have that access in their day-to-day life,” McLaurin said.

“What I came to find out, working with United Health Care, a lot of kids are missing school because they don’t have access to clean clothes and clean hygiene utensils and resources. And I just found that unfortunate because kids should be able to come to school confident and have the clothes and necessities they need so they can focus solely on learning, being a kid, meeting new friends, and chasing their dreams like I got to.”

McLaurin said his former teammate, Nick Sundberg, who created “Loads of Love” to help local area kids years ago, was his inspiration for “Terry’s Locker.”

McLaurin was Washington’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award last season for his outstanding work off the field.

As for football, McLaurin said he’s excited to get to work with new quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Cameron Heyward calls Man of the Year award ‘the greatest honor of my life’

Cameron Heyward finally won Walter Payton Man of the Year after six nominations.

After six nominations, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward finally won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award this year. This was his third straight year as a finalist.

Heyward sent out the tweet below noting that he considered the award the greatest honor of his life. Heyward was given then the award during the NFL Honors, and an official presentation was done at the Super Bowl.

Heyward does a tremendous number of good works through The Heyward House, his organization. Here is a great description of what they do from their official site:

​The passion that Cam shows on the field doesn’t stop when his uniform comes off. It is actually the other way around – Cameron carries the passion he feels about life onto the field with him.
At the core of Cam’s heart are kids – whether it’s visiting with children who have serious medical conditions, taking kids shopping for winter clothes, or sending birthday presents and cards to kids who rarely get celebrated. He knows that every kid needs to have one person who is in their corner, rooting for them at all times.

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T.J. Watt, Mike Tomlin shout-out Cam Heyward for winning Walter Payton Man of the Year

Congratulations to Cam Heyward on his well-deserved honor!

For six of Cam Heyward’s 13 years in the NFL, he’s been nominated to represent the Pittsburgh Steelers in the quest for the league’s highest honor, the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

This year he finally did it! His head coach, teammates and family each took to social media to congratulate Heyward on the achievement.

Steelers DT Cam Heyward receives NFL’s highest honor: Walter Payton Man of the Year

Cam Heyward wins the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

It was five years coming, but the media finally got it right when they voted Cam Heyward the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

This was Heyward’s sixth time being nominated to represent the Pittsburgh Steelers in his 13-year career. The award, considered the league’s highest honor, recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service.

And Heyward’s service to the Pittsburgh community is vast. His efforts are primarily inspired by his father, former NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. Cam was just 16 when his father died of brain cancer at age 39.

Perhaps the most significant endeavor is Heyward’s foundation, The Heyward House, which was launched in 2015. Its causes include combatting childhood hunger, fighting cancer, aiding childhood literacy and supporting students and teachers.

“Ever since I’ve been a Pittsburgh Steeler, I’ve always thought god and my dad had a plan for me, and I’m living it right now,” Heyward said during his acceptance speech on Thursday night. “I want to say thank you to the Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me this opportunity.”

“When I talk about my dad, he wore No. 34, and he’s been with me the entire time, he’s been with me every step of the way,” he said. “But I know there was another 34 that was helping me, this man Walter Payton. He’s done so much on and off the field, and he’s changed so many lives, that now I have the opportunity to be part of such a great fraternity in the Walter Payton finalists and winners.

“I know I can carry this on and take the rock. I can’t run as fast as Walter, and I won’t try, but I’ll make sure I do my part. I want to give a big shout out to every nominee, every winner here today. There’s no act too small, there’s no act too big, we are all trying to make a difference in so many people’s lives.”

Heyward knows his work doesn’t end with the honor he’s received.

“I continue to keep doing the work, as I will. This award is great, and I appreciate it, but I understand I’ve got more work to do. I’ve got to make sure I represent this man every day going forward. And so I ask you guys, my brothers, keep doing the work, keep being the positive role models you are. I know it’s not always pretty, I know a lot of people like to talk about the other stuff, but you guys are the change, you guys are making a difference, and I’m just thankful for that.”

Each of the 32 nominees was awarded a $40,000 donation for the charity of their choice, but for his abundant efforts and earning the title NFL Man of the Year, Heyward will receive a $250,000 donation in his name.

Heyward is the fifth Steeler to have been voted NFL Man of the Year, joining Franco Harris (1976), Joe Greene (1979), Lynn Swann (1981) and Jerome Bettis (2002) — each with a bust in the Hall of Fame.

Perhaps that’s Heyward’s next step.

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Cameron Heyward is your Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner

Cameron Heyward is the winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

The Walter Payton Man of the Year went to Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was presented his award Thursday at NFL Honors by Prince Harry.

Heyward then delivered a passionate and emotional speech.

Ted Karras and Ken Anderson team up to help adults with disabilities

Amazing work from Ted Karras and a Bengals legend.

Cincinnati Bengals nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year and former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson are teaming up this offseason for a very good cause.

Karras has partnered with the Ken Anderson Alliance to create a residential community for adults with disabilities. The project aims to build affordable housing where there will be employment opportunities, social activities and more to help ensure a good quality of life.

Anderson and Karras got together to celebrate their partnership at The Holy Grail in Cincinnati on Jan. 18, where a fundraiser was held to help with costs for the project.

It aligns well with what has made Karras the nominee for the man of the year award since the sales of his famous Cincy hat all go to the Village of Merici for developmentally disabled adults in Indianapolis, where Karras is from.

“I haven’t been this excited about a project like this in a long time,” Anderson said at the fundraiser, via Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “I know a lot of you have been disappointed we couldn’t have done something earlier, but now it will become a reality and I can’t thank Ted and Zach enough for making this all happen.”

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