Travis Kelce becomes highlight name in NFL after Nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Travis Kelce is back on the list for one of the biggest awards in the NFL. On Thursday, the tight end was named the Kansas City Chiefs’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This makes him one of 32 finalists across the league. Kelce, 36, was also the team’s pick last season. The award honors a player who helps people in his city and also plays well on the field.

Why Travis Kelce earned the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nomination

Travis Kelce has spent many years helping kids and families. He started the Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation in 2015. The group helps young kids who do not get many chances. It gives them tools, support, and classes in school, sports, art, business, and science. Kelce works closely with Operation Breakthrough and Ignition Lab, where he spends time with students and helps them learn and grow.

As he shared in his statement, Kelce said being picked again is “a great honor.” He spoke with love for Kansas City and thanked the Chiefs for trusting him. Kelce also said that giving back feels special because he grew up with strong support in Cleveland Heights. Now he wants to give that same support to kids in Kansas City and at home in Ohio.

The winner of the award will be announced on February 5 at NFL Honors in San Francisco, right before Super Bowl 60.

Travis Kelce’s ‘Walter Payton’s Man of The Year’ profile, Ignition Lab @ Operation Breakthrough #WPMOYChallenge

Ignition Lab student Amira said. “Before I didn’t see opportunity in absolutely anything and now, I see it everywhere.”https://t.co/JCTYAe5WsJ pic.twitter.com/TCxaiptS2h

— 87KillaTrav (@87KillaT) December 4, 2025

All 32 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees across teams

Each NFL team picked one player who works hard in the community. Here is the full list of nominees:

Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum
Atlanta Falcons: A.J. Terrell Jr.
Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry
Buffalo Bills: Dion Dawkins
Carolina Panthers: Austin Corbett
Chicago Bears: DJ Moore
Cincinnati Bengals: Ted Karras
Cleveland Browns: Grant Delpit
Dallas Cowboys: Solomon Thomas
Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles
Detroit Lions: DJ Reader
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love
Houston Texans: Azeez Al-Shaair
Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II
Jacksonville Jaguars: Logan Cooke
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce
Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby
Los Angeles Chargers: Cameron Dicker
Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams
Miami Dolphins: Bradley Chubb
Minnesota Vikings: C.J. Ham
New England Patriots: Hunter Henry
New Orleans Saints: Demario Davis
New York Giants: Bobby Okereke
New York Jets: Quincy Williams
Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Mailata
Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith
San Francisco 49ers: Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks: Julian Love
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield
Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons

These names show how many players across the league work hard off the field too. Travis Kelce now waits to see if he will take home the top honor next year.