On Thursday, the NFL revealed the 32 nominees for one of its highest honors.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby is the Raiders‘ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The award is presented to a player who both excels on the field and demonstrates a passion for creating a lasting positive impact beyond the game.
Crosby’s greatness on the gridiron is well documented. The three-time Pro Bowler currently leads the Raiders with 7.5 sacks. Crosby’s 16 tackles for loss are also tied for the most in the NFL.
Crosby is currently the fourth-leading Pro Bowl vote-getter among defensive ends.
We’re proud to announce the 32 nominees for the league’s most prestigious honor: the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by @Nationwide. #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/KWVeyebYpe
— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2024
Off the field, Crosby has taken up a number of meaningful causes.
Crosby has been a supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and will have helped to host five Make-A-Wish kids and their families over the course of the 2024 season.
Those Make-A-Wish kids and their families experienced a visit to the Intermountain Health Performance Center and to Raiders Headquarters for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience on the Saturday before a Raiders home game. Then, on game days, they were treated to a VIP experience including pre-game field access on the sideline to watch warm-ups and a comped meal at any of the concessions stands.
Crosby and his wife, Rachel, also recently announced a $1 million donation to his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University. Crosby’s donation helped launch the second phase of Eastern Michigan’s Championship Building Plan, which aimed to enhance resources for student-athletes and the community.
Crosby also hosted the Play Football Skills Camp earlier this year. It featured 250 participants from ages six to 13 years old for a free skills clinic at the Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Crosby also donated his time to the annual CHAMP Camp, a youth football camp focused on fundamentals, skill and character development, teamwork and education on what it means to be a positive influence in the community.
All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements in the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The winner of the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 6. That primetime awards special will air nationally on Fox and the NFL Network.
Each of the 32 nominees will receive up to a $55,000 donation for their selected charity, while the winner will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
