Tag: Walter Payton Man of the Year

Rams Andrew Whitworth earns Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

Andrew Whitworth was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award was given out at the end of NFL Honors on Thursday.

The award went to Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, who has done important work on the field and more important work off of it.

Whitworth, a 40-year-old still playing at a high level, will seek to earn a Super Bowl ring on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team he played with before making the move to the West Coast.

Whitworth will become the oldest starting offensive lineman in Super Bowl history. He became the first Rams player to win the award since its inception in 1970.

Whitworth is also the first offensive lineman named Man of the Year since the Baltimore Ravens’ Matt Birk in 2011.

Whitworth helped the Rams to an NFC West title and Super Bowl berth and balanced it all with giving back in Southern California and beyond.

Per NFL.com:

Whitworth launched the Big Whit Homes for L.A. Families program at the beginning of the season and pledged to donate $20,000 after each Rams home game. He also made donations to repair homes in his home state of Louisiana and moved Angelenos facing housing insecurity into affordable homes. In addition, Whitworth works with non-profits in L.A. to aid people in paying rent, buying groceries and offers support for down payments and the furnishing of home. When Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana in August, Whitworth parented with Rebuilding Together to assist with essential home repairs to damaged homes.

As the Walter Payton MOTY, Whitworth receives a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

Andrew Whitworth wins Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

Andrew Whitworth won one of the most coveted awards in the NFL: Walter Payton Man of the Year

Andrew Whitworth joined the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent in 2017, and as big as his impact has been on the field, it’s been even greater off it. A staple in the Los Angeles community, Whitworth has given back to those in need each year he’s been with the Rams.

And for his efforts off the field, Whitworth has been recognized with an incredible honor: Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Whitworth won the award at the NFL Honors show on Thursday night, being recognized as the player who exemplifies community impact and philanthropy. He joins an elite group of great men who have helped out in the community throughout their NFL careers, a well-deserved honor for the 40-year-old left tackle.

Among his many selfless acts, Whitworth contributed more than $215,000 to the players’ social justice fund.

He also launched the Big Whit Homes for L.A. Families program, pledging to donate $20,000 after each Rams home game in an effort to help those in need. He started his own non-profit organization, the Big Whit 77 Foundation, which helps local youth and families through several different avenues, as well.

As part of the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats program, Whitworth didn’t choose just one charitable foundation to play for. He recognized the following causes: St. Joseph’s Center, LA Family Housing, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and Rebuilding Together New Orleans.

For winning the award, Whitworth will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice – surely, something the Rams left tackle will put to great use. He said in his acceptance speech that “we have more work to do.”

“We need more action,” he said.

Whitworth has hinted that this will be his last NFL season, so it’s perfect that he wins Walter Payton Man of the Year in what could be his final year. After being nominated four times by the Rams, he unquestionably deserves this honor – and he’ll be sure to carry on this legacy after he’s done playing.

Bradley Bozeman named Ravens’ Walter Payton Man of the Year for second-straight season

For the second consecutive year Bradley Bozeman has been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award

The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of great players who make positive impacts both on and off of the field. They value the character of every person on their roster, and it shows in the teams that they put together each year.

On Monday, it was announced that center Bradley Bozeman was named as the Ravens’ “Walter Payton Man of the Year” nominee. This is Bozeman’s second consecutive year of being nominated for the award by the team. Before moving to center this season, Bozeman had been playing guard on the Baltimore offensive line.  The fourth-year man out of the University of Alabama has solidified the center spot after a few years of inconsistency at the position for the Ravens.

While at practice this morning, coach John Harbaugh made the announcement that Bozeman was the Baltimore Ravens 2021 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Bozeman and his wife Nikki started “The Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation” while at the University of Alabama.  The foundation focuses on how dangerous bullying is and ways to accept everyone for who they are, no matter what. Bozeman has also focused on providing food to the needy in the Baltimore community, and also partnered with the multiple other organizations in the city to provide food and educational materials to Boys and Girls club locations.

Darren Waller is Raiders Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee

Darren Waller is Raiders Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee

Tuesday every NFL team announced their nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. And the Raiders have a good one — Tight end Darren Waller.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

Waller has come a long way. Transforming his life and his NFL career. And he turned right around and put that same effort into helping others.

His community efforts are numerous, seeming to give equal time to community outreach as he did to football and his music.

Most notably, last year he founded the Waller Foundation in 2020 to equip youth to avoid and overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol and support youth and their families during their recovery and treatment journey.

His efforts go well beyond his foundation’s goals. They include hosting a youth football camp, volunteering at mobile food bank, honoring military veterans and their families,

This year Waller earned the “Tyler Robinson Foundation Inspiration” award during the Rise Up Gala, which raised over $2.6 million to strengthen families financially and emotionally as they cope with the tragedy of a pediatric cancer diagnosis by offsetting out-of-pocket life expenses.

Waller was very featured on the NFL’s announcement of all 32 Man of The Year nominees.

Fans can vote on Twitter by using #WPMOYChallenge and WALLER.

The player whose unique hashtag is used the most between Dec. 7 and Jan. 17 will receive a $25,000 contribution to his charity of choice, while the second and third place finishers will receive $10,000 and $5,000 donations, all courtesy of Nationwide. New this year, votes posted on Jan. 4 and 5 count twice and the first player to reach one million votes receives $10,000 for his charity.

Arik Armstead is 49ers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee again

The #49ers nominated @arikarmstead in the #WPMOYChallenge for the second-consecutive season.

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The 49ers on Tuesday announced defensive lineman Arik Armstead is the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for the second consecutive season.

The WPMOY award is given out each year to players who combine off-field community service achievements with great on-field play.

Armstead is a consistent presence in the community with his foundation, the Armstead Academic Project which aims to provide education equality for students in the public school system.

According to a release from the team, Armstead in September of this year donated $250,000 to Mercy Housing California and created the Armstead Academy at the affordable housing organization:

Serving more than 400 students, Armstead Academy offers academic support, after-school programming, and career exploration opportunities including college campus visits through the Leataata Floyd Student and Family Community Center, a joint resource program offered by Mercy Housing and the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Armstead was a first-round pick of the 49ers in 2015 and for the last three seasons has been a force on their defensive line. This season he’s second on the 49ers with 32 pressures. He’s also tallied 3.0 sacks and 19 tackles.

For his WPMOY nomination he’ll receive a decal to wear on his helmet. 49ers fans can vote for Armstead via Twitter by using #WPMOYChallenge with either his last name or @arikarmstead.

Voting begins Dec. 7 and runs through Jan. 17. The winner will receive a $25,000 donation to a charity of their choice. Second place will receive a $10,000, and third receives a $5,000 donation.

Former Rutgers football star Logan Ryan up for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan, a Rutgers football alum, is up for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

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Back in New Jersey where he grew up and played his college football, Logan Ryan is certainly making an impact on the playing field for the New York Giants. But it is away from the playing field where he may be making an even bigger impact.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Ryan is the Giants’ nominee for the 2021 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The former Rutgers football star, now in his second year with the Giants, is having one of the best seasons of any defensive back in the NFL.

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The award “recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field.” Founded in 1970, it was renamed after Payton 29 years later after the late NFL running back.

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A press release by the Giants highlighted the impact of the team’s nominee for the award:

Ryan’s Monthly Rescue and Ryan’s Animal Rescue Foundation (RARF); Ryan Alternative Solutions Training (RAST); a collaboration with CARE (Community Animal Rescue Effort); joining forces with the Covenant House in Newark to support homeless youth through education, employment and financial literacy; frequently donating to animal shelters; and providing Thanksgiving meals and pet supplies to residents of Camden, N.J.

Ryan was a third round pick of the Patriots in the 2013 NFL draft. The 30-year old defensive back has 50 tackles, two forced fumbles and five passes defended this year.

11 awesome videos of NFL teams revealing their Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees

A look at the nominee videos.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees are here.

Every year since 1970 — the award was named after the legendary Hall of Fame running back in 1999 — each NFL team nominates one player who, per the league, “has had a significant positive impact on his community.”

Then, a panel of judges decide which player receives the honor that names like JJ Watt, Russell Wilson, Eli Manning and Anquan Boldin have earned due to their incredible community service.

In recent years, we’ve seen some awesome videos — some heartfelt, some with surprises — revealing the nominees from various teams, which we’ve collected below. Here are a bunch we saw on Tuesday morning:

Tyrann Mathieu nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

The Honey Badger proving he is an all-around great guy.

Each of the 32 NFL teams will nominate one player to represent their organization for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. For the Chiefs, that man is former LSU Tigers defensive back Tyann Mathieu. The Tyrann Mathieu Foundation is very active in his hometown of New Orleans. The Honey Badger is also very active in Kansas City.

“I’m very honored to be nominated as the Chiefs Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year,” Mathieu said. “This team and community are very important to me. I’ve had the chance to meet a lot of people in Kansas City, many who are going through difficult times. I think anytime you have an opportunity to lend your hand or even give a little bit of hope, that’s always a good thing. The Tyrann Mathieu Foundation was created to impact people in the community, and I look forward to all of our events each and every year. It’s always important to dive into the community, get to know people and make yourself a part of their lives. I’m proud and grateful to help the people of Kansas City who do so much for us, and I want to thank my foundation team and the Chiefs for their constant support. There are many other players who do so much for their communities, so I’m honored for this recognition. I think we all face different adversities, so it’s important to share hope. I want to continue to make a difference in the lives of others here in Kansas City and in my hometown of New Orleans.” – Tyrann Mathieu

Per the Kansas City Chiefs press release:

We’re very excited to have Tyrann Mathieu represent the Chiefs organization and the Kansas City community as our nominee for this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “From the time he joined the Chiefs in 2019, Tyrann has been a true leader, both on and off the football field. He is one of the best safeties in the game, and he has been a major contributor to our recent success.

“Tyrann also has a tremendous passion for helping people. Through his Tyrann Mathieu Foundation, he provides food and supplies for families in need both in Kansas City and in his hometown of New Orleans. He also teaches young people the skills necessary for success on and off the field. We are proud to call Tyrann a member of our Chiefs family, and we believe he is deserving of this prestigious honor.”

Complete rules for the Man of the Year Award as it pertains to money being donated to charity.

Each Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee is eligible for the WPMOY Challenge, a Twitter contest which gives fans the opportunity to show support for their favorite nominee and offers players a chance to secure an additional donation for their charity. Fans vote by using the hashtag #WPMOYChallenge and the player’s last name or Twitter handle between Dec. 7 and Jan. 17. Each retweet counts as a vote. The player who receives the most votes wins $25,000 for their charity and the first player to reach 1 million votes receives $10,000, all courtesy of Nationwide.

Saints nominate Cameron Jordan for Walter Payton Man of the Year award

Saints nominate Cameron Jordan for Walter Payton Man of the Year award

The New Orleans Saints announced Tuesday that defensive end Cameron Jordan is their 2021 nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, making it his second nomination in the last five years. Jordan is the longest-tenured player on the team and a defensive captain who has put in just as much work away from the field as he has on it (where he stands second only to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Jackson with 98.5 career sacks) to better his community.

Jordan has spent his off-days over the last decade visiting local schools and children’s hospitals, while also participating in the annual “My Cause, My Cleats” event and other charitable efforts. He’s recently stepped up to help foster healthier police-community relations in New Orleans and led the charge on several social justice initiatives in the city.

Commissioner Roger Goodell defined the award in a statement, saying: “The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is the League’s most prestigious honor and these 32 men represent their many teammates who do incredible things in their communities. Their unwavering commitment to their hometowns and team communities embodies Walter’s spirit of giving back in a way that makes us all incredibly proud of the work they are doing every day.”

Previous Man of the Year award nominees for the Saints include linebacker Demario Davis (2020), left tackle Terron Armstead (2019), and running back Mark Ingram (2019). Their retired teammate, legendary quarterback Drew Brees, won the award himself back in 2006.

Each nominee will receive a donation of up to $40,000 to a charity of their choosing, and the winner (to be announced at the NFL Honors event prior to the Super Bowl) will receive a $250,000 donation. Here is the full list of all 32 nominees from around the NFL this year, including former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (now with the Chicago Bears):

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LB Jerome Baker named Dolphins 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee

The linebacker could become the fourth Dolphin to win the honor.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is one of the most prestigious honors in the league, as it is given based on the player’s impact in the community.

The honor isn’t awarded until February, but the league has announced who each team’s nominee is this year, and for the Miami Dolphins, that player is linebacker Jerome Baker.

According to the team, Baker has been involved in many initiatives since being drafted in 2018. He works with the Boys and Girls Clubs in the area to host an annual Christmas event for the children. He helped provide meals to first responders after the collapse of a residential building in the area. He helped the relief efforts in Haiti following an earthquake at the end of the summer. You could go on and on about the work he’s done to give back.

The Dolphins even made a video highlighting just the type of person that Baker is.

If Baker is chosen as the winner of the honor, he would join Dwight Stevenson (1985), Dan Marino (1998), and Jason Taylor (2007) as the only Dolphins to win the award.

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