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Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominees Includes Buccaneers Mike Evans, Jaguars Arik Armstead, and Dolphins Alec Ingold

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans #13 Locker Room Interview. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News

NEW YORK CITY, NY. (FNN) – The NFL has announced the 32 nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide, its most prestigious honor that celebrates players who excel on the field and positively impact their communities.

“This award is the league’s most prestigious honor, and we are proud to recognize these 32 outstanding men for the positive impact they make in their communities every day,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Key Points About the Award and Event:

  • Award Significance: Honors both on-field excellence and off-field community service.
  • History: Renamed in 1999 after Hall of Fame legend Walter Payton.
  • Winner Announcement: Feb. 6, 2025, during the NFL Honors broadcast on FOX and NFL Network.
  • Nominee Recognition: Each nominee will receive up to $55,000 for their charity, while the winner will receive $265,000.

This Year’s Nominees and Causes

Notable Nominees:

  • Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Renowned for his contributions to underserved youth and families.
  • Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs): Advocates for education and equal opportunities.
  • Brandon Graham (Philadelphia Eagles): Focuses on empowering communities with essential resources.

Nominees support causes such as:

  • Youth empowerment and healthy living.
  • Underserved community upliftment.
  • Educational initiatives.

 

Below is a list of this year’s nominees:

TEAMNOMINEE
Arizona CardinalsTrey McBride
Atlanta FalconsGrady Jarrett
Baltimore RavensRoquan Smith
Buffalo BillsDion Dawkins
Carolina PanthersAdam Thielen
Chicago BearsAndrew Billings
Cincinnati BengalsOrlando Brown Jr.
Cleveland BrownsDenzel Ward
Dallas CowboysZack Martin
Denver BroncosAlex Singleton
Detroit LionsJared Goff
Green Bay PackersKenny Clark
Houston TexansJalen Pitre
Indianapolis ColtsKenny Moore II
Jacksonville JaguarsArik Armstead
Kansas City ChiefsTravis Kelce
Las Vegas RaidersMaxx Crosby
Los Angeles ChargersCameron Dicker
Los Angeles RamsKyren Williams
Miami DolphinsAlec Ingold
Minnesota VikingsC.J. Ham
New England PatriotsDeatrich Wise Jr.
New Orleans SaintsCameron Jordan
New York GiantsDarius Slayton
New York JetsSolomon Thomas
Philadelphia EaglesBrandon Graham
Pittsburgh SteelersLarry Ogunjobi
San Francisco 49ersCurtis Robinson
Seattle SeahawksUchenna Nwosu
Tampa Bay BuccaneersMike Evans
Tennessee TitansJeffery Simmons
Washington CommandersBobby Wagner

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 presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, Feb. 6.

This year’s nominees support myriad causes and initiatives off the field that are important to them and their communities, including empowering youth to lead healthy lifestyles, uplifting underserved communities and many other notable efforts. 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.

“Charity Challenge: Vote for Your 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Favorite”

Fan Engagement Through Charity Challenge

Fans can participate in the Nationwide Charity Challenge to support their favorite nominees:

  • Voting Methods: Use #WPMOYChallenge + nominee’s last name on social media or vote at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.
  • Timeline: Dec. 5 – Jan. 6, 2025.
  • Rewards: The player with the most votes earns an extra $35,000 donation to their charity.

“As presenting sponsor, Nationwide is proud to support these remarkable men and amplify their causes,” said Ramon Jones, Executive VP and CMO at Nationwide.

New Highlights for 2024

  • Helmet Decals and Stadium Recognition: Starting Week 14, nominees will wear special decals, and select stadiums will feature award-themed decorations.
  • ESPN Special: A new one-hour feature by NFL, Nationwide, and Omaha Productions will air on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. ET, showcasing nominees’ community contributions.

Award Impact

  • Encourages players to engage in community service.
  • Builds strong player-community relationships.
  • Long-lasting influence: Players like Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson continue to set examples as past winners.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award remains a beacon of inspiration, honoring the heart, dedication, and community focus that define the NFL’s best.

__________________________________________________________________________

J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

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Sports

Miami Heat Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis Jr. in Blockbuster Trade with Bucks

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MIAMI (FNN SPORTS) — The Miami Heat have acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. from the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster trade that reshapes the franchise’s championship aspirations.

In exchange, Miami sent Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware to Milwaukee, along with first-round draft picks in 2026, 2031 and 2033, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2033 second-round pick.

Pat Riley: ‘One of the Great Trades in HEAT History’

HEAT President Pat Riley called the acquisition one of the most significant moves in franchise history.

“The announcement of today’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. is one of the great trades in HEAT history,” Riley said. “In my opinion, Giannis is one of the top five players in the league, and Bobby is one of the best power forwards. The difficult part is trading Tyler, Kasparas, Jaime and Kel’el, who have given so much to this organization. We wish them nothing but the best. We also thank the Arison family for their continued commitment to pursuing another championship.”

Antetokounmpo Brings MVP Pedigree to Miami

Antetokounmpo arrives in Miami as one of the NBA’s most accomplished players.

His résumé includes:

  • 2021 NBA Champion
  • Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (2019, 2020)
  • 2021 NBA Finals MVP
  • 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
  • 10-time NBA All-Star
  • Seven All-NBA First Team selections
  • Member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

Last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting a career-best 62.4% from the field. He became the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points while shooting better than 60% from the field in three consecutive seasons.

He also enters Miami as the Milwaukee Bucks’ all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, field goals, free throws, triple-doubles, minutes played and games played.

Antetokounmpo will wear No. 34 with the Heat.

Portis Adds Championship Experience

Portis, an NBA champion with Milwaukee, averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 67 games last season while shooting 48.8% from the field and 45.6% from three-point range.

The 11-year veteran has established himself as one of the league’s top reserve forwards, recording a Bucks franchise-record 61 double-doubles off the bench. He also received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his work in mentorship and community outreach.

Portis will wear No. 95 in Miami.

Heat Part Ways with Core Players

The trade ends the Miami careers of several key contributors.

Herro, selected 13th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, spent seven seasons with the Heat, earning 2022 NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors and a 2024 NBA All-Star selection. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 394 regular-season games.

Jaquez Jr., a 2023 first-round pick, averaged 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists over three seasons with Miami.

Jakučionis, selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, averaged 6.2 points during his rookie season.

Ware, the 15th overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, averaged 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over two seasons.

Championship Expectations Rise

The acquisition of Antetokounmpo gives the Heat one of the NBA’s premier superstars and significantly strengthens Miami’s pursuit of another NBA championship. The addition of Portis further bolsters the team’s frontcourt with championship experience, scoring and rebounding.

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Argentina Survives Cape Verde Scare, Wins 3-2 in Extra Time to Advance at FIFA World Cup 2026

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Leo Messi. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

MIAMI (FNN SPORTS) — Argentina avoided what could have been one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, surviving a major scare from Cabo Verde with a 3-2 extra-time victory Friday in the Round of 32.

Leo Messi. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Argentina Survives Despite Lackluster Performance

The defending World Cup champions delivered an uneven and uninspiring performance, appearing too comfortable after taking a 1-0 first-half lead on a goal by Lionel Messi.

But Argentina’s complacency proved costly as Cabo Verde, one of the tournament’s Cinderella stories, continued to press and eventually found an equalizer through Deroy Duarte.

Messi Goal Not Enough to Settle Match

Messi gave Argentina the early advantage, but the team failed to build on the lead or control the match with authority. Argentina’s attack lacked urgency for long stretches, allowing Cabo Verde to grow in confidence and push the match into extra time.

 

Extra-Time Drama

Argentina regained the lead in the 93rd minute when center back Lisandro Martínez scored to make it 2-1. Cabo Verde answered 11 minutes later with a stunning equalizer from Sidny Cabral, who curled a spectacular shot past Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez from the corner of the box.

The dramatic strike may stand as one of the best goals of the tournament.

Argentina Advances to Face Egypt

Argentina finally escaped when Cristian Romero headed a corner kick that glanced off a Cabo Verde player and into the net, giving Argentina the narrow win.

With the victory, Argentina advances to face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta.

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U.S. Men’s National Team Meets Belgium in FIFA World Cup Knockout Match in Seattle

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SEATTLE (FNN SPORTS) — The U.S. Men’s National Team will continue its FIFA World Cup 2026 journey Monday night when it faces Belgium in the Round of 16 at Seattle Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET), with live coverage on FOX, Peacock and Telemundo.

USMNT Riding Momentum into Knockout Stage

The United States advanced after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32, marking the nation’s second-ever FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory. The Americans previously earned a knockout win in 2002 with a 2-0 victory over Mexico.

After winning Group D with two victories in three matches, the U.S. has scored 10 goals in four World Cup matches and has produced at least two goals in every tournament match.

The Americans enter Monday’s match with victories over Paraguay (4-1), Australia (2-0) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-0). Their lone defeat came against Türkiye (3-2) during group play.

Balogun, Tillman Lead U.S. Attack

Forward Folarin Balogun has emerged as one of the tournament’s top scorers with three goals, becoming only the third American to score at least three goals in a single FIFA World Cup, joining Bert Patenaude (1930) and Landon Donovan (2010).

Midfielder Malik Tillman delivered one of the tournament’s signature moments with a spectacular free-kick goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina after the United States was reduced to 10 players. The goal secured a 2-0 victory and earned Tillman Man of the Match honors.

Roster Notes

Twenty-three of the 26 players on the U.S. roster have appeared during the tournament.

Seven players have featured in all four World Cup matches:

  • Sebastian Berhalter
  • Sergiño Dest
  • Alex Freeman
  • Weston McKennie
  • Ricardo Pepi
  • Gio Reyna
  • Malik Tillman

Goalkeeper Matt Freese enters the Round of 16 with three World Cup victories, the most by any U.S. goalkeeper in tournament history, while also recording two clean sheets.

Veteran captain Christian Pulisic, with 89 international appearances, is the most-capped player on the U.S. roster.

History Against Belgium

Monday’s match marks the eighth all-time meeting between the United States and Belgium.

The Americans hold a 1-6-0 all-time record against the Red Devils. Their lone victory came in the opening match of the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, a 3-0 win.

Belgium has since won six consecutive meetings, including a 5-2 victory over the United States in an international friendly on March 28, 2026, and a memorable 2-1 extra-time victory in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Belgium Brings Experience

Belgium enters the match with one of the tournament’s most experienced squads.

The roster features several internationally recognized stars, including:

  • Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
  • Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne
  • Midfielder Youri Tielemans
  • Forward Romelu Lukaku
  • Forward Jeremy Doku
  • Forward Leandro Trossard

The Red Devils advanced after overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time during the Round of 32.

Belgium has not lost a match since March 2025, compiling an 11-1-6 record under head coach Rudi Garcia.

Seattle Has Been Friendly to the U.S.

Seattle Stadium has become a stronghold for the Americans.

The USMNT owns a perfect 7-0-0 record at the venue, including a 2-0 victory over Australia during group play earlier in the tournament.

With a trip to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the line, the United States will look to capitalize on its home-field success while attempting to end Belgium’s six-match winning streak in the all-time series.

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