Patrick Mahomes Named KC Chiefs’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee
The on-field greatness of Patrick Mahomes is obvious, but the Kansas City Chiefs' superstar quarterback also makes a massive impact off the field. For the second year in a row, Mahomes is officially named as the franchise's nominee for the Walter Payton Man NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide.
According to league Commissioner Roger Goodell, 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." All nominees receive donations of up to $55,000 to a charity of their choice, and the winner gets a $250,000 donation courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
Each team names one nominee, with Mahomes being joined by some household names and unsung heroes alike this season. Here's the full list. For the remainder of the season, Mahomes and the 31 other 2023-24 campaign nominees will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year decal on their helmets. Here's what Mahomes said about being nominated again this year, per the Chiefs' Tuesday release:
"It's such an honor to be nominated again by the Chiefs as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. As a dad of two, it means the world to me to be able to provide opportunities and support to underserved youth, and my family and I are so humbled to be in the running for an award that means so much to the Chiefs organization and to our community. It's crazy to see the way 15 and the Mahomies has grown and continues to make more and more of a difference for kids here in Kansas City, across Texas and beyond. We know there is still so much work to be done, and we're so grateful and humbled by the support that Chiefs Kingdom gives us and the foundation. It's truly an honor to represent my foundation, Chiefs Kingdom, my family as well as the Payton family and Hunt family."
Mahomes launched his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation back in 2019, and it's made a tremendous impact ever since. Focusing on supporting local children with various resources to boost their health and wellness, more than $4 million worth of programs and grants have been distributed by the foundation according to the Chiefs. Additionally, Mahomes and his wife Brittany have committed tons of time and financial aid to programs like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Make-A-Wish and more.
Earlier this calendar year, it was revealed that Mahomes won the Nationwide Charity Challenge stemming from the last Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award race. As a result of Chiefs fans helping him win on social media, $25,000 was contributed to his foundation. Current and former Chiefs are no strangers to winning the Charity Challenge, as tight end Travis Kelce won for the 2020-21 season and safety Tyrann Mathieu won the following year.
This year's donation for the Charity Challenge winner will be $35,000, and runner-up and third-place winners get $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Fans are encouraged to participate by taking to X (formerly Twitter) and posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name or X handle of their preferred nominee. They can also vote directly online here. Voting for the Charity Challenge is open until Jan. 8. The winner will be announced on Jan. 9.
The winner of this year's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced at the 13th annual NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. All 32 finalists will be recognized during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LVII. Past winners include Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, former NFL offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson.
