NFL 2023: Meet the ‘Walter Payton Man of the Year’ Nominees
The NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. Named after the late Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton, Chicago Bears running back, the award highlights one player from each of the 32 NFL teams who had a significant positive impact on the community.
The winner of the national award receives a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice. All 32 nominees receive up to a $55,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is the league’s most prestigious honor given annually to the player who best represents the greatness and compassion of Walter Payton on and off the field,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “These 32 outstanding men are making a valuable difference in their communities every day and we are proud to celebrate their special gifts and humanitarianism.”
The 2023 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be announced live at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 8 at 9:00 p.m. eastern on CBS. Last year’s winner was Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott.
Below you will find this year’s nominees.
Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Ledbetter
Atlanta Falcons: Bradley Pinion
Baltimore Ravens: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills: Dion Dawkins
Carolina Panthers: Bradley Bozeman
Chicago Bears: Justin Jones
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 27: Defensive tackle Justin Jones #93 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after making a tackle during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals: Ted Karras
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 25: Ted Karras #64 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off of the field against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns: Anthony Walker Jr.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 03: Anthony Walker Jr. #5 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys: DeMarcus Lawrence
Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles
Detroit Lions: Frank Ragnow
ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN – JULY 28: Frank Ragnow #77 of the Detroit Lions looks on after the Detroit Lions Training Camp on July 28, 2021 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers: De’Vondre Campbell
Houston Texans: Jon Weeks
Indianapolis Colts: Zaire Franklin
WESTFIELD, INDIANA – AUGUST 16: Zaire Franklin #44 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts during the joint practice with the Chicago Bears at Grand Park Sports Campus on August 16, 2023 in Westfield, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars: Dawuane Smoot
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes II
Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) takes the field prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby
Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James Jr.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 26: Derwin James Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at SoFi Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 29: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams walks off the field against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins: Alec Ingold
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 19: Alec Ingold #30 of the Miami Dolphins runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings: Harrison Phillips
New England Patriots: Jonathan Jones
New Orleans Saints: Tyrann Mathieu
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 26: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
New York Giants: Saquon Barkley
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 11: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants reacts as he takes the field prior to an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
New York Jets: Solomon Thomas
Philadelphia Eagles: Lane Johnson
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Lane Johnson #65 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field after a win over the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Heyward
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after a win over the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium on November 02, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers: Arik Armstead
Seattle Seahawks: Bobby Wagner
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 19: Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks on the sideline during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Antoine Winfield Jr.
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 15: Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs downfield during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons
Washington Commanders: Terry McLaurin
This year fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide’s annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Fans can vote on X (formerly Twitter) by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name/X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. In cases where multiple nominees share the same last name (i.e. Justin Jones and Jonathan Jones), all valid votes on X must include the #WPMOYChallenge hashtag and the nominee’s X handle or full name.
Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year’s nominees will also wear a special Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field. Select stadiums will also display goal post wraps adorned with the NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette.
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