ARIK ARMSTEAD WINNING WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

New Orleans – NFL announced this evening that Jacksonville Jaguars de Arik Armstead was named Walter Payton NFL man. The award is the league’s most prestigious honor and recognizes NFL players who have exhibited expertise on the field and whose passion for influencing life extends beyond the game.

The message was published under the NFL Honors Awards program, a Primetime Awards special that was sent nationally on Fox tonight in front of the Super Bowl Lix.

Throughout his 10-year career, Armstead has demonstrated an unshakable obligation to serve the local community. In 2019 he established Armstead Academic Project (AAP), an initiative that secures any student, regardless of their socio -economic status, has direct access to the resources they need to thrive, unlock their potential and achieve their goals.

Through AAP, he has committed to education, including a focus on improving literacy through his Reading Initiative, “StoryTime with Arik Armstead” in Jacksonville as well as his hometown of Sacramento, California and San Francisco. In the fall of 2024, Armstead and his wife, Mindy, donated $ 50,000 to the Department of Sound to create the first “Sound Mind” production work for over 60 young people to explore steam education and social emotional well -being through AAP.

Since coming to Jaguars last season, he has been active in the Jacksonville community and expanded his reach by participating in Everbank Touchdowns for the Tomorrow program, which highlights the importance of financial literacy, demonstrated on the field through football exercises. Armstead joined Everbank staff and hundreds of children from Duval County Public Schools to emphasize the importance of financial education at a young age and to ensure that they are successful in the future. During the holiday season, he also volunteered with blessings in a backpack, a nonprofit that delivers food on weekends and holidays for school -age children who could otherwise be hungry.

In addition to being a five-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year-nominated, Armstead has been the recipient of Perry/Yonamine Unity Award, CBS Bay Area Jefferson Award, The Your Humanly 2023 leading with Heart Award and Boost Collaborative Conference’s Excellence in the Leadership Award. During his career, Armstead has directly affected over 516,500 young people and contributed more than $ 2 million.

“Receiving Walter Payton Man of the Year is an incredible honor – one that goes beyond football. This award represents the power of service, the responsibility of lifting others and the influence we can create through education,” said Armstead. “Through the Armstead Academic Project, my mission has always been to give the students the resources they need to succeed. This recognition is a testimony to this work but there is still so much more to do. I am obliged to Use my platform to create real change – because work doesn’t stop here.

On the field, Armstead has appeared in more than 125 games, including two Super Bowls, and as one starts in more than 95 of them. He has collected 34.5 sacks and 185 tackles during his career.

As the winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, Armstead will receive a $ 265,000 donation to the charity of his choice. All donations are made possible by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.

Download photos/b-roll at Armstead’s community service efforts and man of the year in the year.