In the galaxy of accolades and honors that can be bestowed upon a player in the National Football League, one stands above all others — the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes players who excel on the field and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.
Every season, each team nominates one player as their representative, with a chance to win the league wide award, which was last won by a Texan in 2017, when J.J. Watt won the award for his role in raising millions in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. On Thursday, the Texans announced that safety Jalen Pitre is their 2024 nominee.
Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair had this to say about Pitre:
“Jalen Pitre is a shining example of an exceptional leader on and off the field. As a hometown player, we’re so proud of the impact he’s had in our community and look forward to his continued commitment to H-Town for many years to come. Jalen is incredibly deserving of this honor and we know how much this means to him.”
Every nominee for the Payton Award has a cause (or multiple causes) for which he is passionate. Pitre, a native of Stafford, is a devoted spokesperson and advocate for Kids’ Meals, a Houston area nonprofit organization whose mission is to end childhood hunger by delivering free, healthy meals year-round directly to the homes of hungry pre-school aged children.
Pitre himself has organized a collaborative initiative with Kids’ Meals called “Feed 5 More,” a play on Pitre’s jersey number 5. Through small $5 crowd-sourced donations, Pitre and Kids’ Meals hope to raise enough funds to feed 55,555 kids.
Pitre also represents the Texans’ Community Huddle Ticket Program this season, which gives people who may not otherwise have a chance to attend an NFL game the opportunity to do so. Specifically, the Stafford Cobras, the youth football team Pitre played for as a kid, are treated to a special gamely experience,which includes tickets, food vouchers and parking passes.
The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, February 6, and will receive up to $265,000 for his charity. Each of the 32 nominees will receive up to a $55,000 donation to his charity, and they will all wear a helmet decal throughout the rest of the season acknowledging this honor.
For more information on the nominees and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide, visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.
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This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
