The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide is the league’s most prestigious honor, recognizing players who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.
“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is our league’s most revered honor, celebrating players for their excellence both on and off the field,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “These 32 men represent the best of the NFL, and the incredible contributions they make to their teams and communities every day continue to keep Walter’s legacy alive.”
Below are the AFC North nominees.
Baltimore Ravens, Derrick Henry
Excellence on the Field
Five-time Pro Bowler (2019-20, 2022-24)
AP Offensive Player of the Year (2020)
AP first-team All-Pro (2020)
AP second team All Pro (2019-2024)
Henry stands out as the NFL’s active leader in rushing yards (12,052) and rushing TD’s (112).
This season, Henry became the eighth player in NFL history to reach at least 12,000 career rushing yards and 100 career rushing TDs. Additionally, this season in what was a humbling moment for Henry, he passed the legendary Walter Payton for fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing TD’s list.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
After learning about the struggles that Baltimore students face, Henry partnered with the United Way of Central Maryland to host a back-to-school event at Curtis Bay Elementary, providing 200 students with backpacks and essential supplies.
He even donated winter coats and hats to all 465 students at the school. Henry returned in August 2025 to host an additional back-to-school-event.
Building off of holiday help, Henry purchased 200 Thanksgiving dinners to be distributed to underserved Baltimore families in November 2024. He made similar plans in 2025, donating to families in Baltimore and Yulee, FL for his Two All Foundation.
Since 2018, Henry annually hosted events in Yulee, donating school supplies, backpacks and bicycles to 200 students.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
As a two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee with the Tennessee Titans, Henry hosted multiple back-to-school events, served students at the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, and donated gear, tickets, gift cards and more to residents across the state.
Henry continues to be a key figure in disaster relief. He donated over $120K total to the Red Cross, Community Organized Relief Effort, and nonprofits tackling hunger.
When a Nashville firefighter named Jeremy Taylor and his family lost their home and belongings in March 2021, Henry hopped on the opportunity to donate $10,000 to help start their rebuilding.
Cincinnati Bengals, Ted Karras
Excellence on the Field
Started 62 consecutive games, including three postseason contests
Lined up for 99.5% of the team’s offensive snaps during that time
Anchored an offense that ranks third in the NFL in net passing yards per game (251.5) and seventh in points per game (24.9).
Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII Champion
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
Karras officially launched the Cincy Hat Foundation in October 2024, supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Cincinnati. The foundation collaborated with over 150 businesses, non-profit organizations, and schools this past year.
The Cincy Hat Foundation is funding two full-ride scholarships for students in the program, an annual commitment of $150K that is currently helping two students pursue a transformative four-year college experience.
The foundation helped Karras turn a dream into a mission, creating academic opportunities and affordable housing in Cincinnati for adults with IDD. The goal doesn’t end there, as he wants to build independent living opportunities in Spring 2026, called “The Cincy Hat House.”
Through the foundation, Karras is able to leverage his platform as an NFL player, NFLPA Executive Member, and a Bengals team captain to inspire positive social change.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
In November 2022, when he joined the Bengals, he launched TheCincyHat.com, an online philanthropic platform marketing his popular customized hat, which generated over $350K in revenue in its first two months on sale. Proceeds went to Village of Merici, an Indianapolise-based non-profit living community and service provider for adults in IDD.
In this opportunity, Karras collaborated with childhood friend Matt Renie, whose mother, Colleen Renie, founded Village of Merici. To date, over 100,000 hats have been sold, generating over $3.3 million in revenue.
Karras was the Bengals’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and NFL’s Charity Challenge winner in 2023.
Cleveland Browns, Grant Delpit
Excellence on the Field
Delpit put up an elite performance in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins to earn him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
At the time he was nominated, Delpit logged 36 tackles, one sack, three passes defensed, an interception, and one fumble recovery, adding five tackles and one forced fumble on special teams.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
Delpit hosted a football skills camp for high school athletes during the New Orleans Super Bowl, providing a fun and exciting opportunity for the student athletes to learn from an NFL great. The camp was followed by a celebrity 7-on-7 tournament, and the event’s purpose focused on mentorship, access and encouragement.
He also hosted a Halloween fashion show for children battling cancer in 2025, playing into his bold style on game day. Delpit walked the runway with the kids, enjoying an evening that emphasized the healing power of presence.
Delpit is a values-driven man, strongly advocating for education access. He became a Stay in the Game! Ambassador, promoting school attendance and personal accountability. Through this opportunity, he reached 600K students in Ohio. The message for Delpit was rooted in his mother’s ambition and grandmother’s 33 year career as a New Orleans public school teacher.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Delpit has been long-standing working on bettering the community, both through personal initiatives and team-driven efforts. He hosts annual back-to-school and holiday events – like the Christmas Day celebrations at Lakeview Terrace, a public housing community – focusing on dignity, equity, and shared joy.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Alex Highsmith
Excellence on the Field:
Since becoming a starter on Pittsburgh’s defense in 2021,
So far this season, he’s amassed 5.5 sacks, tied for second on the team, and a half-sack behind team leader, TJ Watt.
He also tallied 24 tackles (15 solo), 10 QB hits, one pass defense, and one forced fumble over the first seven games of the season.
He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 9
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
Highsmith kicked off the 2025 football season and new school year with a Back to School Bash, providing over 200 kids with free backpacks, haircuts, hygiene kits, books and meals.
He also spoke to Pittsburgh area high school students at a Youth Empowerment and Mental Health Yoga Event in conjunction with the Steelers Social Justice Committee, an organization he is a member of.
Highsmith did not shy away from talking about mental health and encouraged all to not be afraid to be vulnerable and ask for help.
He also partnered with Youth Places to host a cooking and etiquette skills seminar for 40 students. The organization’s mission is to create safe spaces and experiences that inspire young people to explore their own futures.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past:
The staples of the work Highsmith does aligns with the Pittsburgh Steelers values: faith, family and football. Serving the Pittsburgh, Wilmington, N.C., and Charlotte, N.C. areas, Highsmith started the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, empowering the net generation through fitness, education and community.
Through his foundation, Highsmith hosts an annual youth football camp. This camp helps over 100 young athletes develop the knowledge and skills needed to excel on and off the field.
He also kicked off the annual Back to School events in 2021, same as the football camp. He supports over 100 kids yearly with school supplies and resources.
All 32 club winners will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area. The national winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special airing on Thursday, Feb. 5.
To learn more about the stories of all 32 players and for more information about the award, please visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.
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