NFL reveals 49ers’ nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

The NFL has revealed its 32 nominees for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which honors players for their excellence on and off the field. Representing the San Francisco 49ers for the second consecutive year is linebacker Curtis Robinson.

The 49ers Communications staff provided the following press release.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Dec. 4, 2025 – The San Francisco 49ers announced that linebacker Curtis Robinson has been selected as the team’s winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide for the second consecutive year. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide is the league’s most prestigious honor, recognizing players who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact beyond the game.

Inspired by his mother’s career as a college professor, Robinson understands the importance of ensuring equal access to quality education, regardless of socioeconomic background. A passionate advocate for the 49ers Foundation’s mission to empower and educate youth, Robinson has been a consistent presence, joining Title I students in the 49ers EDU classroom as they explore STEAM concepts through football.

Recognizing education as a key pillar of social justice, Robinson serves on the 49ers Social Justice Player Committee, helping direct over $1 million in team funding to community organizations and mentoring youth from those partners. Supporting the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative, he also read to more than 150 elementary students and helped distribute over 1,000 books promoting diversity and inclusion through the team’s Read for Justice program.

Guided by the influence of his educator mother and coach father, Robinson values mentorship deeply. He works with Fresh Lifelines for Youth, mentoring teens impacted by the justice system, volunteers with Drive 4 Change in Oakland, teaching golf and promoting life skills through sport, and has joined the team’s annual visit to San Quentin State Rehabilitation Center to meet with justice-impacted individuals and their families.

In 2025, Robinson used his Walter Payton Man of the Year $40,000 donation to help fund a new Mobilize Love truck that provides free haircuts in low-income communities. The truck will be used across the Bay Area to meet the needs of children and families in meaningful, tangible ways. This December, he hosted a community event at Ile Omode School in Oakland, where over 100 students enjoyed a warm meal and received haircuts from the Mobilize Love truck. Complimentary eye exams were also provided by Zenni and Safeway provided $250 gift cards to each family at the school.

While the awards reflect his impact, Robinson’s motivation is deeply personal. “My parents instilled in me to be involved and give back to the community,” Robinson said. “I witnessed the sacrifices they made to ensure I had access to resources I needed to pursue my dreams as a kid. I thought that’s what was normal. They set the standard for me to use my platform to pay it forward and bridge the gap for others.”

The NFL Communications staff provided the following press release.

NEW YORK – Dec. 4, 2025 – The NFL announced today the 32 club Man of the Year winners, who are now nominees for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide is the league’s most prestigious honor, recognizing players who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.

“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is our league’s most revered honor, celebrating players for their excellence both on and off the field,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “These 32 men represent the best of the NFL, and the incredible contributions they make to their teams and communities every day continue to keep Walter’s legacy alive.”

Below is a list of this year’s club winners:

Team
Club Winner

Arizona Cardinals
Kelvin Beachum

Atlanta Falcons
A.J. Terrell Jr.

Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry

Buffalo Bills
Dion Dawkins

Carolina Panthers
Austin Corbett

Chicago Bears
DJ Moore

Cincinnati Bengals
Ted Karras

Cleveland Browns
Grant Delpit

Dallas Cowboys
Solomon Thomas

Denver Broncos
Garett Bolles

Detroit Lions
DJ Reader

Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love

Houston Texans
Azeez Al-Shaair

Indianapolis Colts
Kenny Moore II

Jacksonville Jaguars
Logan Cooke

Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce

Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby

Los Angeles Chargers
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams

Miami Dolphins
Bradley Chubb

Minnesota Vikings
C.J. Ham

New England Patriots
Hunter Henry

New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis

New York Giants
Bobby Okereke

New York Jets
Quincy Williams

Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Mailata

Pittsburgh Steelers
Alex Highsmith

San Francisco 49ers
Curtis Robinson

Seattle Seahawks
Julian Love

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield

Tennessee Titans
Jeffery Simmons

Washington Commanders
Bobby Wagner

All 32 club winners will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area. The national winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special airing on Thursday, Feb. 5.
All 32 club winners will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area. The national winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special airing on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Each of this year’s club winners supports a range of causes and initiatives off the field, including uplifting underserved communities, empowering young people to lead healthy lifestyles and many other notable causes. The charitable beneficiary of each team’s club winner will receive up to $40,000, and the nonprofit chosen by the overall national winner will receive up to $250,000. All funds are donations courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.

Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide’s annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year club winner. Fans can vote on X/Twitter by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the full name/X handle of their chosen player or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The charitable beneficiary of the player who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide, with the nonprofit partners of the runner-up and third-place finishers receiving $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Charity Challenge voting takes place from December 4 through January 5, 2026.

“As a company deeply rooted in a culture of caring and community support, Nationwide is honored to recognize the inspiring club winners for this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “We’re proud to showcase these players and help amplify the causes they champion, celebrating the meaningful impact they’re making far beyond the field.”

First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton. Since then, 58 legends and players have received this esteemed award, including five current players: Arik Armstead of the Jacksonville Jaguars – who was last year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year – Cam Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, Russell Wilson of the New York Giants, and Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals. Each of these players wears a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys throughout the season to recognize the outstanding contributions they have made to the game and their communities.

Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year’s club winners will also wear a special Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field. Select stadiums will also display goal post wraps adorned with the NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette.

New this season, Homage will produce a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year-inspired “Gladiator” product. The product is inspired by the Man of the Year trophy and celebrates this year’s club winners. Each of the 32 club winners will receive this unique product. Fans can share how they’ve uplifted their communities and enter for a chance to win a Gladiator t-shirt at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. Fans can also purchase a Gladiator t-shirt directly at Homage.com.

For the first time, fans now have the opportunity to purchase Arik Armstead’s jersey with the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Gladiator patch. A limited quantity of the jersey is now available for sale at NFLShop.com, Fanatics.com, and the Jaguars online store.

The NFL does not profit from the sale of Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year products, and proceeds from the products are awarded by the NFL Foundation to player-supported nonprofit partners.

To learn more about the stories of all 32 players and for more information about the award, please visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.

Each of this year’s club winners supports a range of causes and initiatives off the field, including uplifting underserved communities, empowering young people to lead healthy lifestyles and many other notable causes. The charitable beneficiary of each team’s club winner will receive up to $40,000, and the nonprofit chosen by the overall national winner will receive up to $250,000. All funds are donations courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.

Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide’s annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year club winner. Fans can vote on X/Twitter by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the full name/X handle of their chosen player or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The charitable beneficiary of the player who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide, with the nonprofit partners of the runner-up and third-place finishers receiving $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Charity Challenge voting takes place from December 4 through January 5, 2026.

“As a company deeply rooted in a culture of caring and community support, Nationwide is honored to recognize the inspiring club winners for this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “We’re proud to showcase these players and help amplify the causes they champion, celebrating the meaningful impact they’re making far beyond the field.”

First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton. Since then, 58 legends and players have received this esteemed award, including five current players: Arik Armstead of the Jacksonville Jaguars – who was last year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year – Cam Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, Russell Wilson of the New York Giants, and Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals. Each of these players wears a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys throughout the season to recognize the outstanding contributions they have made to the game and their communities.

Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year’s club winners will also wear a special Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field. Select stadiums will also display goal post wraps adorned with the NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette.

New this season, Homage will produce a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year-inspired “Gladiator” product. The product is inspired by the Man of the Year trophy and celebrates this year’s club winners. Each of the 32 club winners will receive this unique product. Fans can share how they’ve uplifted their communities and enter for a chance to win a Gladiator t-shirt at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. Fans can also purchase a Gladiator t-shirt directly at Homage.com.

For the first time, fans now have the opportunity to purchase Arik Armstead’s jersey with the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Gladiator patch. A limited quantity of the jersey is now available for sale at NFLShop.com, Fanatics.com, and the Jaguars online store.

The NFL does not profit from the sale of Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year products, and proceeds from the products are awarded by the NFL Foundation to player-supported nonprofit partners.

To learn more about the stories of all 32 players and for more information about the award, please visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.