The Legacy of Walter Payton
On February 6, one of the most prestigious awards in the NFL will be awarded to one of 32 nominees who demonstrated greatness on and off the field during the 2024-25 season. These players deliver more than highlight-reel-worthy moments on the field; they are leaders in their communities, using their platforms to make a lasting impact. This historic award dates back to 1970, later gaining its famous name after the late Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton, a man who embodied the meaning of this award through his unparalleled dedication to community service and perseverance in the face of challenges. Each year, every team nominates one player for the Walter Payton Man of the Year (WPMOY). Upon nomination, players are honored with a $55,000 award to donate to a charity of their choice, with the winner receiving $265,000 to give back to their charities. Over the years, stars such as Russell Wilson, Andrew Whitworth, J.J. Watt, and Bart Starr have won this highly coveted award. Without further ado, meet some of the NFL stars who are proving that true champions shine brightest off the field. When the game clock stops, the true legacy of these NFL stars begins, shaping communities and inspiring futures. The following six players have stood out to me this year and in past years for their commitment to the ideals of their teams and their remarkable ability to turn personal challenges into opportunities to uplift others and fuel their work in making meaningful changes in their communities.
Courtesy of the NFL
Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Can you hear the ‘Ja-Red Goff’ chants? Well, you should - because Goff isn’t just making waves on the field; he’s creating lasting change off of it. Everyone thinks Goff is a champion, especially the children Goff has helped this year. Besides an outstanding year with the Lions, Goff has been busy off the field as he works tirelessly to provide opportunities, mentorship, and support to the community through his various initiatives. His clothing brand, JG16, partners with Merit, a Detroit fashion brand that specializes in selling high-quality products that help kids get through college. 100% of every dollar of your purchase goes directly towards funding college scholarships, and to top it off, Goff matches 100% of the sales, dollar for dollar.
Beyond education, Goff helps to address nationwide homelessness through ‘The Empowerment Plan,’ which works to provide employment and training for individuals experiencing homelessness to create insulated sleeping bag coats for those in need, helping each person to regain their independence as they are able to earn a stable income and find secure housing. Through his support of this organization, The Empowerment Plan has been able to create 150 jobs and distribute 85,000 coats to the Detroit area. In addition to his support in fighting the national homeless crisis, Goff has dedicated himself to helping those in the Metro Detroit area fight against food insecurity through his partnership with Forgotten Harvest, who work to provide thousands of pounds of food and meals daily to families in need.
Courtesy of Lineage
Arik Armstead - Jacksonville Jaguars
Five-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee Arik Armstead is as relentless on the field as he is about advocating for educational equity. Through his Armstead Academic Project (AAP), he takes on systemic barriers in the education system, helping to ensure all students have access to resources regardless of their socioeconomic status. Founded back in 2019 by Armstead and his wife, Mindy, AAP provides youth with positive spaces, tool,s and academic support to unlock their full potential across the country in Sacramento, the California Bay Area, and most recently, Jacksonville, Florida. AAP has provided resources for over 4,500 underserved youth through support in after-school programming along with exposure to college and career paths. Not only does Armsread engage with youth through these initiatives, but he also provides resources to educators and parents. Additionally, he advocates for legislative changes to push along his message that a zip code does not define a student's opportunities. As Armstead has stated, “there’s a lot of kids who are just like me, who just need some nurturing and resources to be poured into; their potential is endless,” and he has done exactly that as this past fall, he and his wife donated $50,000 to the Department of Sound to create the first “Sound Mind” production workshop series to explore STEAM education and social-emotional wellness through AAP.
Courtesy of Gabriella Whisler
Storytime with Arik Armstead, an initiative through AAP to improve youth literacy rates
“I never thought I’d be reading to kids back at that age when I was struggling to read myself.”
Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce might dazzle fans with his moves on the field, but his biggest plays happen off the field through his foundation 87 & Running. His foundation helps underserved youth by motivating them to explore their abilities and discover their passion while learning critical life skills. Through his struggles in school, Kelce was able to relate to these students and provide them with diverse learning opportunities, such as the Ignition Lab. Back in 2020, Kelce purchased an abandoned muffler shop with the vision of transforming it into the Ignition Lab - an after-school program for inner-city students to gain real-world experience and life skills. As the inaugural class graduates high school, Kelce has helped to provide them with paid work experience, internships, industry skills, and support throughout their journeys - an experience he said he will cherish forever.
Growing up with a strong support system full of family and friends, Kelce can give others this same experience with 87 & Running as he creates safe, supportive spaces for kids to explore their passion and feel empowered as they have someone in their corner.
Courtesy of 87 & Running
Maxx Crosby - Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby’s journey from addiction to sobriety fuels his passion and mission to support others through the Maxx Crosby Foundation, where he focuses on substance abuse recovery and youth wellness. With Crosby’s courage and transparency in sharing his struggles with substance abuse, he can be a role model to teens facing similar challenges, as he embodies resiliency and hope, providing someone to look up to who understands their struggles and aspirations. In addition to his work at his foundation, Crosby has also partnered extensively with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, creating life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses and showing the importance of compassion and community.
Courtesy of the NFL
Solomon Thomas - New York Jets
“It’s OK not to be OK. It’s OK to feel the way you’re feeling.” Soloman Thomas shared this sentiment with Wondermind writer Casey Gueren back in June of 2024, a sentiment that captured the heart of his mission. As the co-founder of the nonprofit organization The Defensive Line, Thomas works to raise awareness about mental health and provide resources to those in need. His journey has shaped his commitment to end the epidemic of youth suicide (especially for youth of color). How does The Defensive Line achieve this? Through suicide prevention programs in schools, businesses, collegiate sports, parent workshops, and advocacy, the organization aims to better equip anyone in a mentorship role to spot the warning signs and create safe spaces to share what’s going on.
As a young man, Thomas grew up in the locker room, where talking about feelings and communicating them with others was not the norm. However, as Soloman stated in his interview with Wondermind, the locker room is starting to change with the help of NFL initiatives and organizations like The Defensive Line. People are starting to understand that it’s OK to not be OK, and it’s OK to talk about it.
Born out of unthinkable heartache, Thomas has been able to bring mental health to the forefront of discussion between families, friends, coaches, co-workers, and more. Solomon Thomas truly embodies the meaning of the Walter Payton Award with his unwavering commitment to his foundation, teammates, friends, and family. He has made a profound influence beyond the field, becoming a leader who is a beam of hope and resilience.
Courtesy of the NFL
Bobby Wagner - Washington Commanders
A 13-year veteran and a pillar of leadership, Bobby Wagner is always at the heart of any defensive unit and community. Through his partnerships with local nonprofits and NFL initiatives like Inspire Change, he has been a relentless advocate for mental health awareness and social justice reform. Wagner’s work with Inspire Change has empowered young people by mentoring at-risk youth, serving as an agent of change, and embodying the qualities of a strong, dependable role model. His humility and tireless work ethic have propelled him into not only a formidable opponent on the field but a strong leader in his community.
On the field, his integrity and leadership shine through as he demonstrates exceptional football IQ, relentless drive, and the ability to elevate those around him to perform at their best. Whether it’s commanding the defensive line, rallying his teammates in high-pressure situations, or mentoring the youth, Wagner consistently proves why he is one of the most respected leaders in the league.
Courtesy of the NFL
No matter where he plays, he has always been able to find meaningful ways to give back to the communities he touches. Living a lifestyle of purpose, compassion, and unwavering commitment to make the world a better place.
These players don’t just attach their names to these foundations or organizations—they are at the front lines, putting in the time and effort to truly make a difference. Whether it’s visiting schools, mentoring youth, or rolling up their sleeves at local events, they lead by example and show up for their communities. Their commitment goes far beyond a press release; it’s about building meaningful connections and creating tangible change where it’s needed most. Their actions truly transcend the field and the game of football, as these 32 players remind us that a legacy is not defined by stats, but by the lives they touch. When the stadium lights dim, it’s their impact on the field that truly shines.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is more than an accolade and another trophy on the shelf; it’s a testament to the power of using a platform for good.
As Walter Payton said, “We are stronger together than we are alone,” and these nominees embody that truth.
Edited by Elle Chavis
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