The NFL man of the year award is one of the most prestigious awards that is given during the NFL Honors. It was started to honor one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, Walter Payton. Payton was known not only for the dedication and great things he did on the field but his dedication and service to his city. Payton was well known for the help and community service work he did.

Every year the award is given to someone who does great service to their city outside of football.

In 2024, the award continues to showcase the incredible work that NFL players do outside of their teams. The nominees for this year’s award have all been involved in meaningful community service, helping to improve the lives of those around them, whether it’s through supporting children, tackling mental health issues, or fighting for social justice.

The award was established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton It is one of the NFL’s most prestigious honors. Each of the 32 NFL teams nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community, with one winner selected from the nominees. Click this link for a full list of the nominees: nfl.com

The award honors the spirit of Walter Payton himself, who was known for his generosity, humility, and commitment to making the world a better place. Payton, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, was just as beloved for his off-field character as he was for his skills as a football player. He was always willing to help others, and he made it clear that his true goal was to make positive difference in the world.

The award is one of the most well-known and many have won it like superstar JJ Watt for his heroic commitment to the city of Houston following the hurricane damage in 2017. Watt raised over a million dollars in donations for families to help them get back to their normal lives.

This award also has been given to players like Colin Kaepernick and Larry Fitzgerald who have been involved in numerous service activities. The award is my favorite of them all because it shows that even when you make it to the highest part of your life you wouldn’t be there without your character. The people who win this award show their true character by using their status and talent and making a difference in the world.

This year’s winner of the 2024-2025 Man of the Year award was Jacksonville Jaguar’s defensive linemen Arik Armstead. When asked about how he felt on receiving this award he said, “Receiving the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is an incredible honor — one that goes beyond football. This award represents the power of service, the responsibility to uplift others, and the impact we can create through education.” via a statement released by the team Thursday night.

Armstead’s community initiatives include:

• “Storytime with Arik Armstead”: A reading program aimed at improving literacy rates among young readers.

• Financial Education: Participation in the EverBank Touchdowns for Tomorrow program, focusing on financial education for students in Duval County Public Schools.

• Donations: A $50,000 contribution to the Department of Sound to create a “Sound Mind” production workshop for youth, and a $100,000 donation to Teach for America and Square Root Academy.

  You can read more about Armstead at this link:  bleacherreport.com