KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travis Kelce’s impact off the field earned major recognition Thursday as the Chiefs star was named Kansas City’s 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year club winner for the second year in a row, an honor highlighting his work to transform opportunities for local youth.
The award is considered the NFL’s highest honor, celebrating players who excel on the field and show a strong commitment to community service. Kelce is one of 32 club winners across the league.
“Travis Kelce has been an influential part of the Kansas City community since his arrival 13 years ago,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said.
“His Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation and his work with Operation Breakthrough and the Ignition Lab have helped shape a brighter future for the next generation.”
Kelce said the recognition is meaningful because of the city he represents.
“To be chosen as the team’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is such a great honor,” He said. “Being able to give back to Kansas City and to my hometown has been a dream come true, and I’ll never take that for granted.”
Kelce founded his Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation in 2015, partnering closely with Operation Breakthrough to offer resources, mentorship and hands-on learning in areas including STEM, culinary arts and graphic design.
In 2021, Kelce helped open Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab, which has since served more than 1,000 local high school students, awarded nearly 100 industry certifications this school year, and supported youth-led small businesses across the metro.
Each nominee will receive up to $55,000 and the award winner will receive up to a $265,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are made possible by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.
The winner of this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced live at NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5.
Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year’s nominees will also wear a special Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.
