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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

Super Bowl Opening Night Kicks Off in New Orleans as Chiefs & Eagles Gear Up for the Big Game

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NEW ORLEANS, La. (FNN SPORTS) – Super Bowl week officially kicked off Monday night as the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles took center stage at Super Bowl Opening Night in New Orleans. Florida National News sports team was on-site at the Superdome, capturing all the excitement and exclusive player insights.

A standout moment from the night featured Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, who had Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sign a pillow with Mahomes’ own face on it, adding a fun twist to the media frenzy.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts answers media questions during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. (Photo: Florida National News / J. Willie David III)

FloridaNationalNews.com conducted interviews with players and coaches from both teams, with quarterbacks sharing their thoughts on the highly anticipated Super Bowl 59 matchup.

With Opening Night wrapped up, teams have returned to their bases to continue preparation. The next major media event arrives Thursday with the Super Bowl pregame and halftime show press conference. Fans can expect appearances from headliner Kendrick Lamar, along with Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle, and Ledisi, as they gear up for an electrifying halftime performance.

________________________________________________________________

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

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Sports

A Lim Kim Wins 2025 LPGA Season Opener Over Nelly Korda; Joe Pavelski Takes Celebrity Title

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions brought together 32 of the LPGA’s top players and a star-studded lineup of celebrities at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. The event featured two prize purses: a $2 million purse for LPGA professionals and a $500,000 purse for celebrities.

 

A Lim Kim Claims Victory with Dominant Performance

A Lim Kim, the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open champion, secured a two-stroke victory over World No. 1 Nelly Korda, earning her second career LPGA title and taking home a $300,000 winner’s prize.

  • Kim shot a final-round 67 (-5), sinking a nearly 20-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to seal the win.
  • She led the field in birdies (24) and was the only player to shoot all four rounds in the 60s (65-69-67-67).
  • Kim also excelled in par-5 scoring, a key factor in both this victory and her 2024 LOTTE Championship win.
  • Her 72-hole score of 268 tied her career-low, matching her performance at the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open.
  • This marks Kim’s second wire-to-wire win, making her the first player since Hyo Joo Kim (2023) to win wire-to-wire without ties.
  • She also secured victory in her first tournament with new caddie Bruce Lowe.

Nelly Korda Finishes Runner-Up

World No. 1 Nelly Korda mounted a strong challenge with a final-round 65 (-7), but ultimately fell two strokes short.

  • Korda recorded nine birdies and two bogeys on Sunday.
  • She tied Kim for most birdies in the tournament (24).
  • With this result, she notched her best career finish at the HGVTOC and fifth top-4 finish at the event.

Other Notable Finishes

  • Linn Grant (-3, 69) finished in solo third, her best LPGA finish since the 2024 Dana Open.
  • Minjee Lee shot a career-low 10-under 62 on Sunday, moving from T12 to T4.
  • Defending champion Lydia Ko (-13) finished solo sixth after recovering from three early bogeys.

Joe Pavelski Wins Celebrity Division

Recently retired NHL All-Star and Olympian Joe Pavelski made a statement in his HGVTOC debut, winning the celebrity division with 145 points under the Modified Stableford format.

  • Pavelski edged out 2024 champion Jeff McNeil by five points to claim the $100,000 first-place prize.
  • Asterisk Talley, 15, won the amateur field with 149 points, playing from the same tees as LPGA professionals.

Looking Ahead

With a commanding wire-to-wire performance, A Lim Kim has established herself as a force to watch in 2024. Nelly Korda, Linn Grant, and Minjee Lee will look to build on their performances as the LPGA season continues.


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

 

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Osceola Magic Extend Winning Streak to Four with 113-104 Victory Over Delaware Blue Coats

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WILMINGTON, Del. (FNN SPORTS) – The Osceola Magic (7-6) powered past the Delaware Blue Coats (6-10) with a 113-104 victory on Sunday afternoon, extending their winning streak to four games. A dominant Colin Castleton led the charge with 22 points and 13 rebounds, delivering an ultra-efficient performance by shooting 10-of-12 from the field.

Magic’s Defense Stifles Delaware’s Offense

Despite Jeff Dowtin Jr. leading the Blue Coats in scoring with 21 points, the Magic’s relentless defense held him to an inefficient 7-of-24 shooting from the field. Jarron Cumberland added 19 points for Delaware, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Osceola’s second-half surge.

Balanced Scoring Fuels Magic’s Win

Alongside Castleton’s stellar performance, Mac McClung stepped up in the starting lineup, contributing 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three-point range.

The Magic’s bench played a pivotal role in the victory, with Jarrett Culver delivering 17 points on an impressive 70% shooting. The Texas Tech standout also recorded six rebounds and three steals, providing a crucial spark off the bench.

What’s Next for Osceola Magic?

The Magic will face the Blue Coats again on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Chase Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Osceola will then return to Kissimmee on Sunday, Feb. 9, for a home game against the Grand Rapids Gold at 3 p.m. ET, airing on FanDuel Sports Network Florida and NBA TV.

Black History Month Celebration

The Magic will host a special Black History Month Celebration, presented by Publix, on Monday, Feb. 10, against the Grand Rapids Gold. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the game airing on FanDuel Sports Network Sun and NBAGLeague.com. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica Black History Month Magic jersey.

 

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