The Los Angeles Rams announced that running back Kyren Williams has been selected as the team’s nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
The honor was established in 1970 and renamed after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back in 1999. The annual award recognizes players who excel on-the-field and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.
“It’s an honor to be nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award alongside the many players around the league who are doing meaningful work in their communities,” Williams said.
“My community work is never about receiving recognition but about paying forward the support and inspiration that others have given me throughout my life. I cherish the opportunities to put a smile on people’s faces and help families in need. The game of football has provided me with a platform to give back and I believe it’s important to leverage it in ways that serve others.”
Earlier this year, Williams served as the captain for United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ WalkUnitedLA, where he helped raise over $1 million for underprivileged Angelenos.
Williams also teamed up with several Rams partners and local nonprofits to gift washer and dryer machines to 20 schools to ensure every child has clean clothes to wear.
Additionally, Williams served as a captain for “LA Rams Night for Wishes,” an event that raised more than $750,000 to grant the wishes of local children battling life-threatening medical conditions.
Another former Rams running back who was nominated for this award, Steven Jackson, broke the news to Williams in an awesome way:
BRB we're crying at this surprise 🥹
🔁 #WPMOYChallenge x @Kyrenwilliams23 pic.twitter.com/NhAE7sb6XE
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 5, 2024
All 32 NFL teams nominate a player for the Walter Payton Award and will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
Each nominee will receive up to $55,000 and the award winner will get up to a $265,000 donation to their charity of choice.
The winner of this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced live at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 8th at 6 p.m. PT.
Fans are once again encouraged to participate in the annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee.
From Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Jan. 6, fans can vote on X (formerly known as Twitter) by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name or X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.
The nominee who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation for the charity of their choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000.
Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, all 32 nominees will wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.
2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Awards nominees, including Kyren Williams
Arizona Cardinals: Trey McBride
Atlanta Falcons: Grady Jarrett
Baltimore Ravens: Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills: Dion Dawkins
Carolina Panthers: Adam Thielen
Chicago Bears: Andrew Billings
Cincinnati Bengals: Orlando Brown
Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward
Dallas Cowboys: Zack Martin
Denver Broncos: Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions: Jared Goff
Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark
Houston Texans: Jalen Pitre
Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II
Jacksonville Jaguars: Arik Armstead
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce
Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby
Los Angeles Chargers: Cameron Dicker
Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams
Miami Dolphins: Alec Ingold
Minnesota Vikings: C.J. Ham
New England Patriots: Deatrich Wise Jr.
New Orleans Saints: Cameron Jordan
New York Giants: Darius Slayton
New York Jets: Solomon Thomas
Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham
Pittsburgh Steelers: Larry Ogunjobi
San Francisco 49ers: Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks: Uchenna Nwoso
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans
Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons
Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner
