Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide Finalist
Linebacker Demario Davis
For the third time in his career, Demario Davis has been selected as the team’s club winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is the league’s most prestigious honor, recognizing players who excel on-the-field and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.
Davis has been a perfect fit on the field for the Saints, as well as in the Gulf South community, since signing with the club as an unrestricted free agent in 2018. In 2025, Davis again anchored the middle of a Black and Gold defense that surged to ranking ninth in the NFL in opponent net yards per game, leading the team with 143 tackles, a split-sack, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Overall, in his 14th NFL season, Davis has posted 1,614 career tackles (992 solo), 45 sacks, four picks, 65 pass breakups, six forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries, receiving two Pro Bowl selections and five Associated Press All-Pro honors, as one of only three active players with 1,600 stops.
Off-the-field, Davis has been heavily involved in community service, youth engagement, faith-based and social justice initiatives, both in the New Orleans area and his home state of Mississippi. Davis and his wife, Tamela, started the Devoted Dreamers Foundation in 2013 to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools to be successful spiritually, mentally and physically.
NFL Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Finalist
Linebacker Demario Davis
Davis has also been named one of eight finalists for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Voted on by NFL players, the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award recognizes those that demonstrate the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.