NFL Announces 2025 Club Winners for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award Presented by Nationwide

NFL Announces 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Club Winners

The NFL has revealed the 32 club winners for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. These honorees will be recognized during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area.

Each club winner supports various causes, such as empowering youth, uplifting underserved communities, and promoting healthy lifestyles. The charitable organization linked to each winner’s team will receive up to $40,000, while the national winner’s nonprofit partner will be awarded up to $250,000. These donations come from the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.

Fans can participate in the annual Nationwide Charity Challenge by voting for their favorite club winner. Voting takes place through X/Twitter using #WPMOYChallenge or directly at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The charity receiving the most votes will win an additional $35,000. The runner-up and third-place charities will receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Voting runs from December 4 through January 5.

Ann Bair, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Nationwide, praised the players for their community impact. She stated, “We’re proud to showcase these players and help amplify the causes they champion, celebrating the meaningful impact they’re making far beyond the field.”

Established in 1970 and renamed in honor of Walter Payton in 1999, the award has honored 58 legends and players. Current recipients wearing the Man of the Year patch include Arik Armstead, Cameron Heyward, Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson, and Calais Campbell.

From Week 14 through season’s end, winners will don a special Man of the Year helmet decal. Selected stadiums will feature goal post wraps with the trophy silhouette to highlight their achievements.

This season introduces the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year-inspired “Gladiator” product by Homage. Each club winner will receive this commemorative item. Fans may enter contests or purchase a Gladiator t-shirt via NFL.com/ManOfTheYear and Homage.com.

Additionally, fans can now buy Arik Armstead’s jersey featuring the Man of the Year Gladiator patch, available at NFLShop.com, Fanatics.com, and the Jaguars’ online store. All proceeds benefit player-supported charities through the NFL Foundation.

More details about the winners and the award can be found at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.