Calais Campbell named Jaguars’ nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award

A week after being nominated for the league’s Art Rooney award — recognizing outstanding sportsmanship on the football field —, Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell has been nominated by the team for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

The award is given to an athlete who has demonstrated outstanding community service in addition to excellence on the football field itself. Considered one of the most prestigious honors in the NFL, Campbell will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season, the team announced in a press released earlier today.

Campbell has long supported a number of charities throughout north east Jacksonville since joining the team in 2017 including the CRC Foundation, committed to the enhancement of the community through the teaching of critical life skills to young people, transforming them into empowered and self-aware leaders of the future, which was created by himself, his mother and siblings in 2009.

Most recently, Campbell began a Season Of Giving charity initiative, giving back to the city of Jacksonville in a unique fashion by turning his performance on the field into donations off the field, giving to various organizations throughout the season.

“Calais means so much more to the NFL than being a great player on the field each and every Sunday,” said Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone. “He embodies all the traits that make someone a consummate professional, and his passion and love for the game and everything it represents is why he’s a perfect candidate for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. As a tenured veteran, Calais has made an impact everywhere he’s been during his football career, both inside the organizations he’s played for with his teammates, coaches and the staff, as well as in the community with his neighbors. With every second of free time, it seems like he’s always out in the city looking for a way to give back and make a difference. I’m honored to have had the privilege to coach a player and a man like Calais Campbell.”

Thus far this season, Campbell has accounted for 48 tackles (32 solo), nine tackles-for-loss, and 6.5 sacks thus far this season. Since joining the team, Campbell has logged 31.5 total sacks which ranks fourth in team history.

With Campbell’s on the field and off the field work in Jacksonville, Campbell has already become one of the team’s most important players in franchise history.

The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award will be announced during the NFL Honors award ceremony, set to take place on February 1st, 2020, the eve of the Super Bowl, and will receive a donation up to $50,000 to be given to the charity of their choosing.

In addition to the award winnings, Jaguars fans will have an opportunity to score even more for charity by using #WPMOYChallenge on twitter followed by Campbell between December 12 and January 12. The nominee who receives the most hashtag mentions during that span will win an additional $25,000 donation from Nationwide to the charity of his choice.