Each year, the annual Walter Payton Man of the Year award is awarded to a player whose philanthropy and commitment to community stands out. For the Cardinals, this year’s nominee was Kelvin Beachum, and his mother, Culetta, took the time to speak to SB Nation on Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl 60 in San Francisco, Calif.
Mrs. Beachum joined us on behalf of JC Penney, who took her and two other NFL moms of Walter Payton Man of the Year candidates shopping to get red-carpet ready.
(Left to right): Lisa Dawkins, Culetta Beachum and Martha Thomas shop JCPenney’s evening wear collection at JCPenney in San Jose, CA on Feb. 4.
(Front to back: Lisa Dawkins, Culetta Beachum and Martha Thomas wrap a successful shopping spree hosted by JCPenney in Eastridge Shopping Center in San Jose, CA on Feb. 4.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful store,” Mrs. Beachum said. “We went shopping, looking at all the beautiful clothes, the glamorous shoes, blinging, gorgeous purses, jewelry — affordable jewelry. Oh my goodness. I could have just stayed right there for a little bit longer. Absolutely a nice experience, and just having the glamour, being all glammed up was a nice experience.”
Beachum was the oldest of four siblings — and his parents just adopted five nephews, which now makes Beachum the eldest of NINE siblings. Being the big brother led to Kelvin stepping into a leadership role in the family.
It became evident to the Beachums that Kelvin’s athletic talent was something special when he was in high school.
“He was very athletic, very athletic. He played basketball, then he played football, and I remember in a basketball game, he scored 30 I think it was — 32, 36 points in one game,” Mrs. Beachum said. “Then, when I saw him push a tractor tire — roll a tractor tire, and I said, ‘This is different.’ And it’s because of his work ethic.”
This year’s nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award was Beachum’s third, and he’s been named the NFLPA’s weekly Community MVP award a record five times.
Beachum’s foundation, the Kelvin Beachum Foundation, focuses on meeting basic needs like clean water and food, and also on STEM. His interest in STEM, education, and helping others comes from his extended family, including his grandparents and great-grandparents.
“It stemmed from his grandparents, great grandparents. With his grandparents, my father is an automotive technician. His dad was a technician,” Mrs. Beachum said. He has his own business now, so Kelvin got to experience firsthand. So because of that, it just helped enhance his understanding. And especially education, and children who are not as fortunate. So he was able to say, you know what? I can use my resources to do more than what my parents were able to do. And as a parent, that’s what you always want to see. I want [my children] to be better than me.”
The NFL hasn’t changed Beachum, according to his mom. He remains humble.
“When he comes home, he is not the player. He’s my son,” Mrs. Beachum said. “He has work clothes. ‘Put your work clothes on, we need you to work on the farm. Your daddy needs you at the shop.’ And so with his him just being humble, that’s one of the things I’m really proud of.“
It may be obvious based on his efforts to help others and support his community, but Mrs. Beachum said that one thing she’d like fans to know about her son is that he has a big heart. And it seems like that’s a trait that runs in the family.