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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
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Brigid Kennedy

Every NFL Team's Heartwarming Walter Payton Man of the Year Announcement Video

The NFL on Thursday announced all 32 of its club nominees for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, a prestigious annual accolade that "recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field." The prize was first established in 1970, but was renamed in 1999 to honor late Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.

Although just one winner is selected from the bunch, it is a tremendous honor to be nominated for the award. Each nominee is recognized starting in Week 14 with a special helmet decal they'll wear through the end of the season, and franchises often go to great lengths to surprise the player with news of their selection in a special and meaningful way.

Below, we've collated all the heartwarming announcement videos into one long post, so you can easily scroll through and celebrate the winner for your favorite team.

Note: A video is not included for teams who did not post one.

The winner of 2025's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be announced at NFL Honors on Feb. 5, 2026.

49ers

Nominee: Curtis Robinson (linebacker)

Bears

Nominee: DJ Moore (wide receiver)

Bengals

Nominee: Ted Karras (center)

Bills

Nominee: Dion Dawkins (offensive lineman)

Broncos

Nominee: Garett Bolles (offensive tackle)

Browns

Nominee: Grant Delpit (safety)

Buccaneers

Nominee: Baker Mayfield (quarterback)

Cardinals

Nominee: Kelvin Beachum Jr. (offensive tackle)

Chargers

Nominee: Cameron Dicker (kicker)

Chiefs:

Nominee: Travis Kelce (tight end)

Colts:

Nominee: Kenny Moore II (cornerback)

Commanders:

Nominee: Bobby Wager (linebacker)

Cowboys:

Nominee: Solomon Thomas (defensive tackle)

Dolphins:

Nominee: Bradley Chubb (defensive end)

Eagles

Nominee: Jordan Mailata (offensive tackle)

Falcons

Nominee: A.J. Terrell Jr. (cornerback)

Giants

Nominee: Bobby Okereke (linebacker)

Jaguars

Nominee: Logan Cooke (punter)

Jets

Nominee: Quincy Williams (linebacker)

You can watch the Jets' video for Williams here.

Lions

Nominee: D.J. Reader (defensive tackle)

Packers

Nominee: Jordan Love (quarterback)

Panthers

Nominee: Austin Corbett (offensive lineman)

Patriots

Nominee: Hunter Henry (tight end)

Raiders

Nominee: Maxx Crosby (defensive end)

Rams

Nominee: Kyren Williams (running back)

Ravens

Nominee: Derrick Henry (running back)

Saints

Nominee: Demario Davis (linebacker)

Seahawks

Nominee: Julian Love (safety)

Steelers

Nominee: Alex Highsmith (outside linebacker)

Texans

Nominee: Azeez Al-Shaair (linebacker)

Titans

Nominee: Jeffery Simmons (lineman)

Vikings

Nominee: C.J.Ham (fullback)


More NFL on Sports Illustrated


This article was originally published on www.si.com as Every NFL Team's Heartwarming Walter Payton Man of the Year Announcement Video.

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