New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke has been nominated for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

The team announced the nomination on Thursday during its bye week. In a distinctive gesture, the Giants presented Okereke with his helmet, now adorned with the Walter Payton Man of the Year decal, to inform him of the honor. Okereke and the nominees from the other 31 teams will wear the decal on their helmets for the remainder of the season.

The linebacker expressed deep appreciation for the recognition.

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“It meant a lot,” Okereke said, via Giants.com. “[My family was] pretty emotional just thinking about when I started playing football in high school, back to my Boy Scout days and choir, and everything. I just think it was a proud moment for them seeing me grow up and become the young man I’ve become.

Since signing with the Giants ahead of the 2024 season, Okereke has served as a steadfast leader on the field. Yet it is his extensive off-field contributions to the community that have positioned him as a strong contender for the award.

“Since I’ve been a player in this league, I’ve always heard it’s one of the most prestigious awards because of the community service aspect. We’ve all heard the quote: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ That’s how I’ve tried to live my life,” he said. “That’s how my parents raised me. So, to be recognized for this award is a testament to them, a testament to all the hard work and my teammates supporting me, and how the Giants organization has uplifted me since I’ve been here.”

Among Okereke’s 2025 community efforts, he assumed the role of general manager for Team Nigeria’s men’s and women’s flag football teams. His philanthropic involvement extends well beyond this year; throughout his NFL career, Okereke has remained actively engaged in community initiatives.

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The Giants’ nominee last year was wide receiver Darius Slayton, while former Giants running back Saquon Barkley received the nod two years prior. Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning remains the only Giant to have won the award, sharing the honor with Larry Fitzgerald in 2016. Giants backup quarterback Russell Wilson is also a past recipient.

Established in 1970, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is widely regarded as the league’s most prestigious accolade, honoring a player’s outstanding performance both on the field and in the community. Each of the NFL’s 32 teams selects one nominee who has demonstrated a significant positive impact through service.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Bobby Okereke is New York Giants’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee