The nominees for 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award have been unveiled.
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry finds himself among the 32, the league announced Thursday.
Named after the late Chicago Bears running back and 1993 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award stands as the NFL’s highest honor, recognizing those who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to creating a positive impact beyond football.
”We are incredibly proud to have Hunter Henry represent the Patriots as our Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “Hunter embodies the values we cherish most; compassion, integrity, and a commitment to serving others. From his global advocacy with the International Justice Mission to his dedication to uplifting families and children here in New England, Hunter has used his platform to make a profound impact. His leadership on the field is matched only by his generosity off it, and we are honored to celebrate him for the difference he continues to make in so many lives. He embodies everything the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award represents.”
Only Rob Gronkowski and Ben Coates stand ahead of Henry on New England’s all-time receptions list among tight ends. He has tallied 244 catches for 2,815 yards and 24 touchdowns since heading to Gillette Stadium as an unrestricted free agent in 2021. A career-high 115 receiving yards arrived last week for the 10-year NFL veteran.
Entering the league in the second round of the 2016 draft at No. 35 overall, the former John Mackey Award winner out of Arkansas began his run with the Los Angeles Chargers.
All 32 nominees are set to wear Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decals through the end of the season. They will then be recognized during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX before the national winner is announced on Feb. 5 as part of NFL Honors.
The charitable beneficiary of each team’s nominee will receive up to $55,000. The nonprofit chosen by the overall national winner will receive up to $265,000 through the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.