Walter Payton Man of the Year 2025: 32 club nominees revealed, how fan voting works, and key names to watch

Bassyonni

ago 1 hour

Walter Payton Man of the Year 2025

The NFL has unveiled the 32 club winners who advance as nominees for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the league’s most revered honor celebrating community impact and on-field excellence. Each team’s selection will be recognized throughout the stretch run, with the national winner announced at NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5 (the week of Super Bowl LX).

What the nomination means—and what’s at stake

Every club’s honoree is now a finalist for the league-wide award. This season’s program includes direct support for player-backed causes: up to $40,000 donated to each club winner’s nonprofit partner, and up to $250,000 to the national winner’s designated nonprofit. Nominees will wear a special helmet decal beginning in Week 14, and previous winners who are still active continue to wear the Man of the Year jersey patch year-round.

Fan vote: the Nationwide Charity Challenge

Fans can boost their favorite nominee in the Charity Challenge now through Jan. 5, 2026 by posting the campaign hashtag with the player’s name on social media or voting via the league’s site. The top vote-getter’s charity earns an additional $35,000, with $10,000 and $5,000 going to second and third place. The Charity Challenge doesn’t decide the national award, but it channels real dollars to player causes and elevates their work.

Headline nominees for Walter Payton Man of the Year 2025

The full slate spans every locker room; here are some of the most widely discussed names and their clubs:

Derrick Henry (Ravens) — Veteran star whose outreach centers on youth empowerment and food security.
Travis Kelce (Chiefs) — Longtime community builder through programs focused on education and opportunity.
Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) — Family and children’s health initiatives remain a pillar of his philanthropy.
Jordan Love (Packers) — Youth mentorship and mental-health advocacy headline his efforts.
Jordan Mailata (Eagles) — Music- and autism-related causes, plus citywide youth programming.
Dion Dawkins (Bills) — Neighborhood support, winter-weather relief, and youth literacy.
Ted Karras (Bengals) — Lineman-led foundation work around community centers and basic needs.
DJ Moore (Bears) — Youth development and holiday assistance programs.
Kelvin Beachum (Cardinals) — STEM education access and global hunger relief.
A.J. Terrell Jr. (Falcons) — School supplies, scholarships, and youth sports access.
Kenny Moore II (Colts) — Mental-health and foster-care support.
Maxx Crosby (Raiders) — Substance-abuse recovery advocacy and youth outreach.
Bradley Chubb (Dolphins) — Scholarships and community uplift projects.
Bobby Wagner (Commanders) — Longstanding work in education and food security.
Hunter Henry (Patriots) — Anti-trafficking partners and family support services.

(Additional club winners include representatives from every team, among them Austin Corbett, DJ Reader, Azeez Al-Shaair, Logan Cooke, Cameron Dicker, Kyren Williams, C.J. Ham, Demario Davis, Bobby Okereke, Quincy Williams, Garett Bolles, Solomon Thomas, Alex Highsmith, Curtis Robinson, Julian Love, Jeffery Simmons, and more.)

How the league winner is chosen

A panel that includes the Commissioner, last year’s winner, and former players evaluates the 32 nominees. Criteria balance sustained community impact with on-field standing, reflecting the award’s dual mission. While the fan vote is independent, public momentum often amplifies a nominee’s story and can help raise additional funds and awareness.

What’s new this year

Visibility on game day: Expect to see helmet decals for all nominees and trophy silhouettes integrated into stadium presentation.
Merchandise tie-ins: A limited “Gladiator” product inspired by the trophy recognizes club winners, with proceeds routed by the league’s foundation to player-supported nonprofits.
Active-winner patch access: For the first time, fans can purchase a jersey featuring the Man of the Year patch worn by the current active honoree.

Timeline and key dates

Now–Jan. 5, 2026: Fan Charity Challenge voting window.
Week 14 through end of season: Nominees wear helmet decals; in-stadium activations continue.
Feb. 5 (NFL Honors): National Walter Payton Man of the Year announced in prime time.

Why this award matters

Beyond statistics and highlights, the Walter Payton honor spotlights how players leverage their platform for education, health, housing, food security, and youth opportunity. The 2025 class illustrates the breadth of that mission—from linemen building community centers to Pro Bowlers scaling scholarship funds—reminding fans that the most enduring plays can happen far from the field.