Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry will be the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, the league announced on Tuesday.
Here’s a brief description of the award, which gives the winner $250,000 to donate to the charity of his choice, and up to $40,000 for the other 31 nominees who don’t win.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. The award was established in 1970. It was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community.
“It’s an honor for me,” Henry said. “This award, what it stands for, the morals and principles that Walter Payton stood for, I think that every athlete should try to strive for them each and every day. He did amazing things on the field, but off the field as well. We can just hope to be the man that he was one day. I’m very glad to represent this organization for the second time. It’s an honor to be nominated for this award. Hopefully I can continue to do great things and do the things that this award represents.”
Not only has Henry proven to be one of the best players in the NFL on the field, he has also made countless contributions to charity off the field, including through his “Two All Foundation.”
The Two All Foundation was founded by NFL running back Derrick Henry and exists to level the playing field for today’s youth so that their future success is not limited by the circumstances of their upbringing, background, disability, or influence.
Henry has routinely donated backpacks, school supplies and toys to kids, and he also donated $10,000 to Nashville firefighter Jeremy Taylor to help he and his family rebuild their home after it tragically burnt down in 2021.
And these are just some of the things Henry has done to give back to his communities in both Nashville, where he currently plays, and in Yulee, Florida, where he grew up.
Henry is a great football player, but an even better human being, so the honor is well-deserved. The winner will be chosen at the NFL Honors ceremony in February.
