Jaguars DL Arik Armstead reacts to winning Walter Payton Man of the Year

The NFL recognizes the effort players make in community outreach. That's why, every year, all 32 nominate a candidate for Walter Payton Man of the Year, an award that recognizes off-field work. For the 2024 version, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead got the nod.

Armstead was presented with the Man of the Year award in the 2024 NFL Honors. He proceeded to give a lengthy speech where he thanked all the people that made it possible, and why it wasn't about him, but the people that's benefited from his work in the community. The 2015 first-round pick closed his remarks with a message about hope and his belief in humanity.

"And even though I'm being honored tonight, I don't feel that tonight is about me or the organization. Tonight is about all you in this room right here, and everyone watching at home," Armstead said. "We live in a world that constantly tries to divide us, whether that's politically, economically, race, racially, sexual orientation, we're constantly being divided. But I believe in humanity.
I believe that we're all more alike than we are different."

Armstead continued, "And I believe that all of us have the power to be the change that we want to see in our society, and no act is too big and no act is too small, but I just encourage you to try to be a blessing in someone else's life and see how that changes your life. Let's define success by a new metric, not by the things that we acquire, but by how many people we positively impact. And this is a night that I'll never, never forget. And I thank you and I appreciate you and have a good night."

Below is the full speech:

Of course, the Jaguars didn't want him to go unnoticed and also the video below on social media.

So what exactly has the former Oregon Duck done? He established the Armstead Academic Project (AAP), an initiative that "ensures every student, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has direct access to the resources they need to thrive, unlock their potential and achieve their goals." Here's the skinny on the work he's done in California and Jacksonville.

"Through AAP, he has committed himself to education, including a focus on improving literacy rates through his reading initiative, "Storytime with Arik Armstead" in Jacksonville as well as his hometown of Sacramento, Calif. and San Francisco. In fall 2024, Armstead and his wife, Mindy, donated $50,000 to the Department of Sound to create the first "Sound Mind" production workshop series for over 60 young people to explore STEAM education and social emotional wellness through AAP."

Following the award night, Armstead posted on social media that he was honored to become the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year, pointing out that he is "nothing without so many people who have been a blessing in my life."

Armstead spent the first nine years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. He signed a three-year deal worth $43.5 million with the Jags last season.

Arik Armstead is having a massive impact for the Jaguars (off the field)

It's easy to forget that there are things more important than football in life. The Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award reminds us of them, and there's no doubt Arik Armstead was deserving of such an illustrious honor. The Jacksonville Jaguars are surely thrilled with the positive impact he's had in the community. That said, they would also like to see a bit of that on the football field.

While Armstead wasn't outright bad in 2024, his play didn't match the top-market contract he signed. Some of it had to do with the fact that he was playing out of position, but regardless of the reason, the Jags didn't get enough bang for their buck.

On the bright side, the California native will once again line up inside, where he's the most effective. Moreover, he'll get a clean start with new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, so it won't be a surprise if he bounces back in 2025.

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