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 NFC West nominees.
Arizona Cardinals, Kelvin Beachum
Excellence on the Field
- Selected in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft
- Fourteen-year NFL veteran with 162 career starts, ranking second among offensive linemen from his draft class
- Started all 16 games in 2014 and ranked as the fifth-best left tackle by Pro Football Focus
- Ranked second in offensive snaps played league-wide in 2020
- Helped the Cardinals rush for 2,451 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024, the third-most rushing yards in team history
- Part of an offensive line that allowed just 30 sacks in 2024, the fifth fewest in the NFL
- Has played every position across the offensive line and served as a two-time team captain
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
Beachum partnered with former MLB player Curtis Granderson in a fundraising competition to benefit the United Food Bank in Phoenix and Chicago. Throughout November, Beachum is raising funds alongside Raising Cane’s, which will donate a portion of sales to the United Food Bank. He will also host his fifth annual food distribution for families in the Phoenix community, building on an initiative that raised $200,000 last season.
He remains active in youth development, mentoring athletes with Hamilton Girls Flag Football and supporting creative opportunities by hiring a student from Mesa Youth Creative Agency to design his My Cause My Cleats artwork. Beachum also plans to participate in Hour of Code in support of Code.org and will host a backpack and toy distribution in partnership with World Vision during the holiday season.
This year, Beachum authored a children’s book centered on curiosity and learning. He will visit schools to read the book to students, with all proceeds supporting literacy projects through DonorsChoose.org as part of a broader educational app initiative.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Beachum has long focused his community work on hunger relief, education, and access to clean water. Through his hunger initiatives, he has donated more than $70,000 to food banks across Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, while also serving as a monthly volunteer at the United Food Bank in Phoenix.
His clean water efforts span domestic and international projects, including personally distributing 26,000 water bottles to residents in Newark, New Jersey, and funding the construction of three water wells in Zambia. The wells provide up to 2,800 gallons of clean water daily and long-term access for hundreds of residents.
Beachum also supports education through speaking engagements, classroom resources, and technology initiatives. He has hosted a free annual football camp in his hometown of Mexia, Texas for nine consecutive years, serving approximately 500 campers each year. His global outreach has expanded to youth football camps in Saudi Arabia, with additional camps planned in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to help grow the game internationally.
Los Angeles Rams, Kyren Williams
Excellence on the Field
- Entered the NFL in 2022 and emerged as a full-time starter in 2023
- Became the first player in Rams history to score multiple touchdowns in each of his first two career games
- Finished the 2023 season with 15 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors and a Second-Team All-Pro selection
- Since becoming a starter in 2023, has recorded 32 scrimmage touchdowns, the most in the NFL
- Passed Steven Jackson and Marshall Faulk for rushing yards through a player’s first 40 games in franchise history
- Ranked seventh in the NFL in rushing yards (1,299) and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns (12) in 2024
- Through the 2025 season, has totaled 472 rushing yards, 20 receptions, and five touchdowns from scrimmage
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
Williams has remained deeply involved in the Los Angeles community, particularly following the devastating January wildfires. He attended an event at LAFD Air Operations to honor first responders and spent time engaging with those impacted by the fires.
He also partnered with the Seattle Seahawks to distribute new Nike shoes to youth who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire at the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena. Williams later visited youth from the Palisades at their local recreation center, leading their first football activity since the fires and providing autographs and photos to help restore a sense of normalcy.
Williams donated his full 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nomination funds to the LAFD Foundation to support wildfire relief efforts.
Throughout the 2025 season, Williams committed to spending time each week in the community on his day off. His involvement has included literacy programs, military recognition events, holiday distributions, and helping launch the Rams’ STEAM education initiative in under-resourced schools.
He has also begun the application process to become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and returned for a second consecutive year as a host of Rams Night for Wishes, raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Williams remains one of the team’s most active Make-A-Wish participants.
During the team’s OTA trip to Maui, Williams hosted a youth football clinic for boys tackle and girls flag athletes, leading drills and competitions while providing encouragement and support.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Williams has maintained a strong presence in community service dating back to his college career at Notre Dame and since joining the Rams in 2022.
In 2024, he served as captain for United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ WalkUnitedLA, helping rally 7,500 participants and raise more than $1 million to combat poverty. He also partnered with PacSun, ThinkWatts Foundation, and Los Angeles Unified School District to address chronic absenteeism by helping launch the distribution of washer and dryer units to 20 schools.
At Rams Training Camp, Williams announced the gifting of custom wheelchairs, helmets, and jerseys for the LA Rams Wheelchair Football Team and led a joint soccer and football clinic with Arsenal FC. He also helped unveil a Rams-branded turf football field at Nickerson Gardens in Watts, participating in youth clinics and pickup games.
Williams has supported Rams sustainability initiatives, Salute to Service events, and annual Season of Giving efforts. He has participated in Thanksgiving meals at Covenant House, served as a captain for the Holidays for Heroes military appreciation campaign, and taken part in Ramsgiving events with local youth football programs.
His outreach has extended across multiple school districts in the Los Angeles area and into youth correctional facilities, where he has led character discussions and flag football activities aimed at mentorship and personal development.
San Francisco 49ers, Curtis Robinson
Excellence on the Field
- Signed by the 49ers as a free agent during the 2021 season after spending time with Denver
- Appeared in 24 career games, recording 12 tackles and 10 special teams tackles
- Has served in a special teams and backup linebacker role, providing depth and leadership
- Rehabilitated from a season-ending injury throughout the 2024 season and 2025 offseason
- Currently on the 53-man roster in 2025, playing a leadership role in the linebacker room and on special teams
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
Education remains the foundation of Robinson’s community work. Inspired by his mother’s career as a college professor, Robinson has focused his efforts on expanding access to learning opportunities for youth.
For the second consecutive year, Robinson hosted a Back-to-School Shopping event at Levi’s Stadium to honor local educators. He has remained a consistent presence in the 49ers Foundation’s education initiatives, including the 49ers EDU classroom, where he encourages Title I students through STEAM-focused programming. Robinson also participates in the Foundation’s annual Golden Getaway, mentoring youth and engaging with supporters.
Robinson serves on the 49ers Social Justice Player Committee, helping direct more than $1 million in team funding to community organizations. In support of the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative, he read to more than 150 elementary students and helped distribute over 1,000 books through the Read for Justice program.
He continues to mentor justice-impacted youth through Fresh Lifelines for Youth and participates in the team’s annual visit to San Quentin State Rehabilitation Center. In 2025, Robinson used his $40,000 Walter Payton Man of the Year donation to help fund a new Mobilize Love truck providing free haircuts in low-income communities. He will host a holiday event for Drive 4 Change youth this December, supported by the Mobilize Love initiative.
Robinson was named the 2025 Perry/Yonamine 49ers Unity Award recipient by his teammates and continues to lead player volunteer hours, regularly participating in 49ers Community Tuesday events.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Robinson’s commitment to service began long before his NFL career. From coaching youth football in high school to volunteering at children’s hospitals as a student-athlete at Stanford, community engagement has remained a constant.
Since entering the league in 2021, Robinson has led efforts with fellow linebackers to provide holiday gifts for nearly 200 individuals annually, focusing on families from underserved neighborhoods in San Francisco. He has supported cancer survivors and military members through Crucial Catch and Salute to Service initiatives and raised awareness for animal rescue organizations through Humane Society partnerships.
Robinson has emphasized addressing food insecurity and homelessness in the Bay Area, distributing food, clothing, and resources to more than 50 nonprofit organizations during the holiday season. He also regularly visits local Boys & Girls Clubs to mentor students from Title I schools.
Through the Read for Justice initiative, Robinson has helped distribute more than 4,100 books promoting diversity and inclusion. He has mentored more than 100 students connected to social justice grant partners and participated in cultural education tours highlighting the Bay Area’s civil rights history.
Positive Character & a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Robinson’s leadership and character have been recognized throughout his career. In high school, he was a finalist for the Glenn Davis Award, and at Stanford, he received the Al Masters Award for excellence in athletics, leadership, and academics.
Over the past two years, Robinson has earned the 49ers Unity Award, directing grant funds to City Year and Mobilize Love. He has served as a featured speaker at City Year’s annual gala and consistently logs the highest volunteer hours on the team. In 2023, he received the 49ers Veteran Player Community Award and was named the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2024.
Robinson continues to lead with a personal mission centered on service, mentorship, and bridging opportunity gaps for those most in need.
Seattle Seahawks, Julian Love
Excellence on the Field
- Signed by Seattle as an unrestricted free agent in 2023
- Set career highs with four interceptions, 10 passes defensed, and a team-leading 13 special teams tackles
- Ranked third on the team with 110 tackles and earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 15
- Selected to the NFC roster for the Pro Bowl Games
- One of two NFL defensive backs with 100+ tackles in each of the last three seasons (2022–24)
- Became the first Seahawks player since 2000 to record 10 tackles, one sack, and a blocked field goal in a single game
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
Love has remained active in supporting underserved communities through education, youth development, and basic needs initiatives.
He sponsored tuition-based scholarships for students at his alma mater, Nazareth High School, awarding five $1,000 scholarships. During the holiday season, Love hosted a $3,000 shopping spree for 15 youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Seattle, distributed coats and winter essentials to more than 300 children at the Seattle YMCA, and provided Thanksgiving meals for 150 youth in Bellevue.
Love hosted his annual free youth football camp, welcoming more than 400 participants and providing over $40,000 in gear and resources. He also donated $25,000 to support children at the Boys & Girls Club with essentials, clothing, and appliances.
His commitment to health and wellness included participating in a Red Cross Blood Drive at Lumen Field in partnership with Delta Air Lines. Love also partnered with Dick’s Sporting Goods to host a back-to-school shopping event for 10 underserved youth.
In collaboration with Safeway, Love contributed to a $400,000 initiative providing SNAP benefits to Washington families, which included a cooking program and a visit to a children’s hospital. He also donated $5,000 to Every Mom Chicago, supporting expectant mothers in underserved communities.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Love serves as a Legacy Board Member of Weish4ever, a nonprofit organization supporting adolescents and young adults battling cancer.
He has hosted youth football camps at his alma mater in La Grange Park, Illinois, and launched Love’s Huddle, an initiative providing at-risk and underserved youth with clothing, toiletries, and food.
Love has also supported the Seahawks’ Red Cross Blood Drive in partnership with Delta Air Lines for the past two years, continuing his focus on health advocacy and community service.
First & Jenn 
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