San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead is among the 32 players nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The award is given out each year honoring an NFL player's volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field.
Education equity and access have been the focus of Armstead's community efforts. When the pandemic hit, the defender donated $50,000, personally delivered 350 Chromebooks, one-year of pre-paid internet service, and education kits to multi-student families through Sacramento's Mercy Housing, which provides low-income housing.
Armstead also looks to raise awareness and educate others in the area of inequality, with the hope of encouraging dialogue and enacting change.
Each team nominates a player for the award, and the 32 nominees will be pared down to three finalists, who will be announced in January. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors awards presentation before the Super Bowl.
Anquan Boldin is the only 49ers player to win the award. He did so in 2015 after his final season in San Francisco. Cornerback Richard Sherman was last year's 49ers nominee. Calais Campbell, then of the Jacksonville Jaguars and now with the Baltimore Ravens, was awarded the honor.
The award winner will receive a $250,000 donation in his name to a charity of his choice courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide. All other 31 nominees will receive a $40,000 donation in their names to their charity of choice.
Fans can also use the hashtag #WPMOYChallenge and their favorite nominee's last name on social media. The nominee who receives the most mentions will win an additional $25,000 donation courtesy of Nationwide to the charity of his choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000 donations.
Armstead, along with all of the 2020 nominees, will wear a Man of the Year helmet decal beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.
The 49ers drafted Armstead with the No. 17 overall pick in 2015. He has accumulated 32 tackles, two tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and two passes defensed through 12 games this season.
Below is a list of the other 31 nominees across the NFL.
- Corey Peters, Arizona Cardinals
- Steven Means, Atlanta Falcons
- Bradley Bozeman, Baltimore Ravens
- Harrison Phillips, Buffalo Bills
- Shaq Thompson, Carolina Panthers
- Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears
- Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
- Jaylon Smith, Dallas Cowboys
- Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
- Trey Flowers, Detroit Lions
- Corey Linsley, Green Bay Packers
- Michael Thomas, Houston Texans
- Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts
- Josh Lambo, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
- Alec Ingold, Las Vegas Raiders
- Isaac Rochell, Los Angeles Chargers
- Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams
- Byron Jones, Miami Dolphins
- Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings
- Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
- Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
- Dalvin Tomlinson, New York Giants
- Pierre Desir, New York Jets
- Rodney McLeod, Philadelphia Eagles
- Vance McDonald, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans
- Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team