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Rams News | Los Angeles Rams - therams.com
Kyren Williams named Rams' nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide
Dec 05, 2024 at 07:00 AM
TheRams.com
The Rams all-time leading rusher and former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee, Steven Jackson, surprised Williams with the nomination at the team's practice facility. As a St. Louis, MO native, Williams grew up a Rams fan and had the chance to meet one of his idols, Jackson, at a Rams charity event at a young age. Williams looked up to Jackson as the Rams lead running back but has also been inspired by his commitment off-the-field giving back to community during his time in the NFL and in retirement.
Kyren Williams is the Rams' 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee
Earlier this year, Williams served as the captain for United Way of Greater Los Angeles' WalkUnitedLA, where he helped to rally 7,500 Angelenos in raising over $1 million to power the fight to break cycles of poverty and build communities of prosperity in Los Angeles. Williams also joined Rams partner, PacSun, local nonprofit, ThinkWatts Foundation, and the Los Angeles Unified School District to combat chronic absenteeism by kicking off the gifting of washer and dryer machines to 20 schools to ensure every child has clean clothes to wear to school.
At the team's 2024 Training Camp, Williams met with members of the LA Rams Wheelchair Football Team to announce the gifting of custom wheelchairs, helmets, and jerseys for the team's upcoming seasons. Also at Training Camp, Williams joined members of Arsenal FC and led youth through a "Football Meets Football" soccer and football clinic. Leading into the Rams' season opener, Williams visited Nickerson Gardens, the largest housing development west of the Mississippi, and helped to unveil a new Rams-branded turf football field for the community of Watts. As part of the celebration, Williams participated in a youth football clinic and pick-up games with the kids.
In addition, this season, Williams served as an event captain for "LA Rams Night for Wishes." With Williams' help, the event raised more than $750,000 to grant the wishes of local children battling life-threatening medical conditions. Williams also led the team's annual sustainability recycling combine where he worked alongside Rams and Ball Corporation staff to educate the next generation on the benefits of recycling. Williams also visited the Covenant House, a nonprofit committed to opening doors to young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking, for their Thanksgiving meal. Since being drafted by the Rams in 2022, Williams has immersed himself in the community of Los Angeles. He has participated in the Los Angeles Rams' campaigns around Salute to Service and their annual 'Season of Giving' efforts that help to address food insecurity, provide gifts to those in need and uplift the Los Angeles community during the holiday season.
Also dating back to 2022, Williams has supported local school district initiatives at Los Angeles Unified School District, Inglewood Unified School District and Conejo Valley Unified School District and visited youth correctional facilities to help inspire young people through character chats and a flag football game.
"It's an honor to be nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award alongside the many players around the league who are doing meaningful work in their communities," said Williams. "My community work is never about receiving recognition but about paying forward the support and inspiration that others have given me throughout my life. I cherish the opportunities to put a smile on people's faces and help families in need. The game of football has provided me with a platform to give back and I believe it's important to leverage it in ways that serve others."
"Kyren has shown Rams fans and the larger Southern California community he's someone they can count on with his dynamic play on the field to his charitable impact off the field. Learning about his nomination for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award was important for me," said Jackson. Being able to surprise him with the announcement was an honor because what he is doing is motivational. Far too many times those who gave their time hardly receive their proverbial flowers in the moment."
"Since being drafted, Kyren has continuously stepped up to assist with our off-the-field community efforts," said Rams Executive Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement, Molly Higgins. "The enthusiasm and passion that Kyren brings to community service is very similar to what fans see through his play on the field. And while he continues to ascend on the field, we look forward to helping him continue to make a meaningful impact and inspire change through his work with non-profits and schools." Each nominee will receive up to $55,000 and the award winner will receive up to a $265,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are made possible by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.
All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The winner of the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, Feb. 6.
Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Fans can vote on X/Twitter by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name/X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The nominee who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide to the charity of their choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000. Charity Challenge voting takes place from Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Jan. 6
Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year's nominees, including Williams, will wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.
For more information about the award, please visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.