The Denver Broncos nominated linebacker Alex Singleton for the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide, the team announced Thursday.
“Considered the NFL’s most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recognizes a player for his outstanding leadership both on the field and in the community,” said the Broncos in a press release.
Singleton’s work off the field is something close to his heart; work with the Special Olympics. “Singleton’s older sister, Ashley, has been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 20 years, inspiring him to become an advocate for the organization,” said the statement. Singleton’s sister helped announce his nomination, wearing a shirt that read, “My brother is the Broncos’ Walter Payton Man of the Year.”
Singleton has experienced a roller coaster of a season, being voted a captain before the year began, and then tearing his ACL in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite playing all 57 snaps during the game.
You can watch Singleton’s reaction to his nomination below.
.@alexsingleton49 thought he was just being interviewed by @SpecOlympicsCO athletes for a project …
Until his sister — a @SpecialOlympics athlete — and family surprised him with the news that he’s our 2024 #WPMOY. 🥹#WPMOYChallenge pic.twitter.com/li4g6GRx9L
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 5, 2024
“Previous Broncos nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award include tackle Garett Bolles (2023), guard Dalton Risner (2022), safety Justin Simmons (2019-21), outside linebacker Von Miller (2018) and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (2017). John Elway (1992) is the only Broncos nominee to win the national award, which was first given in 1970 and renamed after the Chicago Bears’ Pro Football Hall of Fame running back in 1999,” said the release.
