Arik Armstead Honored as 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

2025-03-01

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead was named the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year during the NFL Honors ceremony on February 6, 2025, in New Orleans. The prestigious award recognizes players who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact off the field through community service and philanthropy.

Armstead, 31, is the second Jaguars player to receive the honor, following in the footsteps of former defensive end Calais Campbell, who won the award in 2019. Each of the 32 NFL teams nominates one player annually for the award, with the winner receiving a $265,000 donation to a charity of their choice. Armstead plans to direct the funds to the Armstead Academic Project, a nonprofit he co-founded with his wife, Melinda, in 2019. The initiative provides academic support and resources to students in Sacramento, the California Bay Area, and Jacksonville.

In his acceptance speech, Armstead emphasized the importance of service and education, stating, “This award represents the power of service, the responsibility to uplift others, and the impact we can create through education.” He added, “Through the Armstead Academic Project, my mission has always been to provide students with the resources they need to succeed. This recognition is a testament to that work, but there’s still so much more to do.”

Armstead joined the Jaguars in March 2024 after spending nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, where he recorded 34.5 sacks and 185 tackles over 125 games, including two Super Bowl appearances. In Jacksonville, he has been active in the community, participating in programs like EverBank Touchdowns for Tomorrow, which promotes financial literacy, and volunteering with Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit that provides food to school-aged children.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, named after the late Chicago Bears running back, has been a cornerstone of the NFL’s recognition of players’ off-field contributions since 1999. Armstead’s win highlights his dedication to creating lasting change through education and community engagement.

Jacksonville Jaguars DL Arik Armstead named 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year

Jacksonville Jaguars DL Arik Armstead was named the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. An exclusive award, given only to the most deserving.

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