Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been selected as Chicago’s 2022 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact.
Johnson is being honored for his work with Kevvy’s Vision Project, a foundation that “strives to empower and motivate underprivileged communities while giving them equal opportunities to succeed.”
“I’m very honored to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” Johnson said in a statement. “I started the foundation with the intention of keeping my friend, Kev’Vion’s, legacy going. Before the foundation, it was Kev’Vion who would do such important things to help our community. Being in the NFL, I recognize my great fortune to be in the position to do the very things he did every day when he was here with us. With my career in the NFL, my goal is to improve both as a player and as a member of my community. I intend on doing this through Kevvy’s Vision Project.”
Connie and Jarrett Payton delivered the news to Johnson, who was announced as the nominee in front of his teammates.
Who better to deliver the news than the Paytons? 🧡#WPMOYChallenge + @NBAxJay1 pic.twitter.com/uG6c82wEXb
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 6, 2022
“I’m excited for Jaylon, for what he has accomplished on and off-the-field,” said GM Ryan Poles. “It’s important for us, as an organization, to support our players in the initiatives they want to take part in or lead, when giving and leading causes that are close to their heart and benefits communities. Jaylon is such an excellent and determined player who has shown great leadership in the locker room and in his community. He has all the qualities that make him very deserving of this award with all the effort he has given over the years of his young tenure with the Chicago Bears.”
The NFL Man of the Year Award was renamed after Payton as a tribute to his greatness both on and off the field. He passed away on Nov. 1, 1999 at the age of 45 due to bile duct cancer.
The Bears’ most recent Walter Payton Man of the Year winner was cornerback Charles Tillman back in 2013. Other winners included Payton, Dave Duerson, Mike Singletary and Jim Flanigan.
