National Award Winner Announced at NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5 Before Super Bowl LX

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Rams announced that Running Back Kyren Williams has been selected as the team's club winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide is the league's most prestigious honor, recognizing players who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact beyond the game.

CEO of Project Blue and General Manager of the North East Lincoln and Watts Rams youth football programs Marc Maye surprised Williams with the news alongside members of the youth football team. The Watts Rams and North East Lincoln Rams are coed youth football programs coached by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and are designed to bridge the gap between communities of color and law enforcement. Through LAPD's Community Safety Partnership Bureau (CSPB) and Project Blue, community leaders are able to connect with local youth. The Rams provide both programs with funding, educational opportunities, access to players, coaches and staff, and enrichment activities to ignite their passions beyond the playing field. A video of the surprise can be viewed on the team's YouTube channel and more information can be found on the Rams website.

Throughout this year, Williams has shown up when Los Angeles needed it the most. Following the devastating January wildfires, Williams visited LAFD Air Operations to honor first responders. He also joined forces with division rival Seattle Seahawks to distribute new Nike shoes to youth, who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, at the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena. Williams recently visited youth from the Palisades at their local recreation center and helped lead their first football activity since the fires broke out. In addition, he donated his 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nomination money in full to the LAFD Foundation to aid in relief.

Throughout the 2025 season, Williams has committed himself to spend time each week on his off day being present in the community. His involvement includes literacy sessions at local schools, military recognition events, holiday distributions, helping the team launch their STEAM education program in under resourced schools, and more. In addition, when Williams learned that non-profit Big Brothers Big Sisters was in need of male, men of color mentors, he committed to becoming a 'Big Brother' to model the way and hopefully inspire others to join him in their mission to ignite the power and promise of youth through one-on-one mentoring relationships. Williams also returned for the second consecutive year as a host of the annual Rams Night for Wishes, which raises critical funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.When the team visited the Hawaiian island of Maui for OTAs, Williams participated in a youth football clinic for local boys tackle and girls flag football athletes.

Williams has a long-standing history of being active in the community dating back to his college days at Notre Dame and since being drafted by the Rams in 2022, Williams has immersed himself in the community of Los Angeles. Williams has demonstrated that his dedication to service has no limits. No matter what the event, Williams brings attentiveness to youth, veterans, and community partners alike, giving them the chance to connect with him beyond the player they see on the field.

"Each time I'm out in the community, I think back on the impact Steven Jackson had on me at a Rams community event growing up," said Williams. "Being able to make a positive impact on the youth across Los Angeles and seeing the smiles on people's faces, means everything to me. This award is special because my commitment to the community is never about recognition but about being the inspiration to show young people they can dream big and achieve their goals. The opportunities I've been given through being a professional football player allow me to perform on the field but have also given me the platform to pursue what I am most passionate about, giving back to the community. It's an honor to be the Rams' club winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award alongside players around the league dedicated to their communities."

"Kyren is a special football player, but more importantly, he's a special human who brings an authentic passion for community service – a commitment that he demonstrates weekly through his consistent presence in Los Angeles schools and with non-profits." said Rams EVP of Community Impact & Engagement Molly Higgins. "He approaches the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others with the same infectious enthusiasm that he brings to the game of football. We are incredibly grateful for his heart and leadership both on and off the field as he lives out his purpose of serving the community and inspiring Angelenos."

All 32 club winners will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area. The national winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special airing on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Each of this year's club winners supports a range of causes and initiatives off the field, including uplifting underserved communities, empowering young people to lead healthy lifestyles and many other notable causes. The charitable beneficiary of each team's club winner will receive $40,000, and the nonprofit chosen by the overall national winner will receive $250,000. All funds are donations courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.

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 club winner. Fans can vote for Kyren on X/Twitter by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with his full name or X handle (i.e., Kyren Williams or @kyrenwilliams23) or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.The charitable beneficiary of the player who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide, with the nonprofit partners of the runner-up and third-place finishers receiving $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Charity Challenge voting takes place from December 4 through January 5, 2026.

Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year's club winners, 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.