The Kansas City Chiefs have announced that quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been chosen as the team's nominee for the esteemed Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This prestigious honor recognizes an NFL player for exceptional community service contributions off the field, alongside their on-field excellence. Mahomes joins 31 other nominees - one representing each NFL team - who were revealed today.

Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt expressed his admiration for Mahomes, stating, "The Chiefs organization and the Kansas City community could not ask for a better leader on the field and representative off of it, which is why we are honored to once again announce Patrick Mahomes as the club's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award." Hunt highlighted Mahomes' commitment to improving communities since the beginning of his career in 2017, emphasizing his impactful work through the Patrick Mahomes Foundation.

Expressing his gratitude, Mahomes said, "It's such an honor to be nominated again by the Chiefs as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. As a dad of two, it means the world to me to be able to provide opportunities and support to underserved youth." Mahomes further emphasized the growth and impact of his foundation, 15 and the Mahomies, in making a difference for children in Kansas City and beyond.

All 32 nominees, including Mahomes, will be recognized as finalists during the weekend before Super Bowl LVIII. The winner of the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced during the nationally televised NFL Honors ceremony, held on the Thursday preceding the Super Bowl.

As part of the nomination, all 32 players will receive a donation of up to $55,000 in their name towards their chosen charity. The winner will be awarded a $250,000 donation to their selected charity. These generous donations are provided by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide. Additionally, Mahomes and the other nominees will wear a distinctive Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal throughout the remainder of the season to recognize their off-field accomplishments.

Since joining the Chiefs as the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Mahomes has made a substantial impact both on and off the field. In 2019, he established the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, which focuses on improving the lives of children by supporting health, wellness, and underserved communities. The foundation has already distributed over $4 million in grants and programs, earning recognition from the Kansas City Business Journal as one of the city's leading charitable trusts and foundations.

Mahomes and his foundation have initiated several meaningful programs, such as a national partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, where he pledged to donate $1,500 for every regular-season touchdown. The foundation has also prioritized combating illiteracy through the "Read for 15" program, resulting in increased reading scores for participating schools. Furthermore, Mahomes has supported volunteerism among youth through the "Volunteer for 15" initiative, which exceeded its goal of 15,000 volunteer hours this year.

The 15 and the Mahomies Foundation has provided significant support to various causes, including backpack giveaways, free vision screenings, scholarships for children of United States Navy SEALs, playground and soccer field construction, and more.

Off the field, Mahomes has displayed his leadership by partnering with organizations like Make-A-Wish, granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. He has also engaged in civic responsibilities, encouraging voter registration and transforming Arrowhead Stadium into a polling center, serving over 2,100 voters during the general election.

On the field, Mahomes continues to thrive, leading the Chiefs to an 8-4 record and securing a top spot in the AFC West. He has amassed impressive statistics, completing over 67% of his passes for more than 3,100 yards, with 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Throughout his career, he has achieved remarkable accolades, including multiple Pro Bowl selections, NFL MVP titles, Super Bowl victories, and Super Bowl MVP titles.

As part of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award process, fans can participate in the WPMOY Challenge on X (formerly Twitter) by using the designated hashtag and the player's name or X handle from December 5 until January 8. The nominee with the most hashtag mentions and online votes will secure an additional $35,000 donation for their chosen charity. The runner-up and third-place nominees will also receive donations of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, courtesy of Nationwide.

Patrick Mahomes' nomination for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award reflects his exceptional community service and his commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.