INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — One of the biggest awards in the NFL each season is the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

The award recognizes “players who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.”

Each NFL team nominates a player for the annual honor.

On Thursday, the Indianapolis Colts announced that cornerback Kenny Moore II will be the team’s nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

“It’s an honor to represent this organization as well as the city in this space,” Moore said.

This is the third time that the Colts have nominated Moore for the prestigious award. He was nominated in 2024 and in 2021.

“I feel like it’s been such an honor to have a front seat to see him grow both on and off the field, but he really had a dedication and passion to impact his community and impact his team, and I think that it goes without saying, being the third year that he’s been our nominee, that he has done that,” Colts Owner and Chief Brand Officer Kalen Jackson said. “I was trying to think of something this year in particular that I think really exemplifies both the excellence on and off the field, which is what this award is all about. And when you are in the community and you are asking little kids what celebration dance you should do if you make a big play on the field, and then you go into the game that Sunday, you make that big play, and you keep your promise to that little kid, is exactly what this is all about.”

Colts Owner & Chief Brand Officer Kalen Jackson (left), Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II, Colts General Manager Chris Ballard and Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen on Thursday (WISH Photo)

As big of an impact as Moore has on the field, which is a lot, he may even have a bigger impact off of the field.

For instance, Moore’s Love One Foundation aims “to build a world where every young person feels seen, supported, and inspired to chase what matters most.”

He even teaches kids each week at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis. While there, he talks to students about a range of topics.

“The things that I’m able to do now, the people that I’ve been able to brush shoulders with over the last several years have been a key piece for me,” Moore said. “And it takes a village. It takes a village, and I’ve had a lot of great people around me, fortunately. So, I think we all help each other.”

The winner of this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be unveiled on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the NFL Honors.

“To see him in that light year after year, I’m hoping they stop messing around and just let Kenny lock this in because he deserves it so much,” Colts running back Jonathan Taylor said. “It’s evident from not only the passion that he plays with on the field, but the passion that he shows people off of the field in Indianapolis, in his community back home. So, it’s just inspiring.”

“The winner of the award each year receives up to a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice, while all 32 club winners receive up to a $40,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.,” according to the NFL.