Patriots Nominate Wise for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

The New England Patriots chose Deatrich Wise Jr. as the franchise’s 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee. The NFL began giving out the award in 1970. They renamed it after the Chicago Bears’ legendary running back in 1999. It honors players for their work on and off the field. The 32 nominees, one from each franchise, were announced Thursday.

The National Football League refers to the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year as the league’s highest individual honor. It is meant to honor players who have made a significant positive impact in their community. According to the league, the award represents “the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact.”

Deatrich Wise Jr. has played his entire eight-year NFL career with the Patriots. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and three-time team captain. He won the 2022 Ron Burton Community Service Award, given out by the organization.

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Statement From the Team

New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft had this to say about Deatrich Wise Jr. (taken from the team’s official team press release):

“Deatrich’s commitment to his craft, constant effort and desire to improve every day has earned the respect and admiration of his coaches and teammates who have selected him as a team captain for the past three seasons,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “But it is his commitment to positively impacting the lives of everyone he touches that earns him this honor. He brightens every room he enters with his cheerful smiles and heartfelt embraces. No one has worked harder to earn his role on the team and no one has done more with the platform it has provided him to give back to his community. Deatrich is a great ambassador for the team and for the National Football League and we are proud to nominate him for this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.”

Wise Up Foundation

Deatrich Wise Jr.’s “Wise Up Foundation” helps students, veterans, and others needing assistance in communities. Wise said he hopes to positively impact the lives of others to inspire them to do the same. “I hope acts of kindness inspire more acts of kindness,” said Wise.

Recent New England Patriots nominees have included Rob Gronkowski, Nate Solder, Kyle Van Noy, Devin McCourty, and Jonathan Jones. No Patriot has ever won the award.

The winner of the WPMOY will receive $250,000 for the charity of their choice. All other nominees will receive up to $55,000 to go toward their chosen charity. The NFL named three finalists from the original 32 nominees. The league announced the winner at the annual NFL Honors program.

Deatrich Wise Jr., along with the other 31 nominees, will wear a decal on his helmet for the remainder of the season to commemorate the honor.