NEW ORLEANS — Shortly after receiving the prestigious 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award at a league honors event, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead joined fellow nominees in a community outreach initiative in New Orleans, aimed at motivating young individuals.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Community Day was hosted at the Rosenwald Recreation Center, allowing 22 of the 32 nominees to engage with children from the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Louisiana.
During a brief ceremony before the activities commenced, Armstead addressed the young attendees. “You are our future and the next generation,” he stated. “It is our duty to help you reach your ambitions and whatever you strive to achieve in life. Do not allow anyone to dissuade you. With determination and effort, you can accomplish your dreams.”
He also emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “You have people around you who care and want to see you succeed, irrespective of what others in society may suggest.”
Among the attendees was NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with Brittney Payton, the daughter of the late Walter Payton, and Angel Nelson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana. Nelson encouraged students to draw from the day’s experiences, envisioning themselves as future leaders capable of enacting significant change through compassion and engagement.
Armstead worked alongside notable NFL figures including Bobby Wagner, Deatrich Wise, and Kyren Williams, in addition to four-time Pro Bowlers Jared Goff and Dion Dawkins. The players formed groups of four to six to participate in various activities designed to inspire the kids.
Outdoor activities included route running, pass catching, and relay races, while the indoor sessions featured helmet painting, vision board crafting, and personal mentorship opportunities.
“What I take away from this event is the opportunity to share inspiration and wisdom,” Wise commented. He further added, “The kids were engaged in creative activities like designing helmets, and they were excited to ask me questions about football and life.”
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan, who received his third nomination for the award, expressed his support while attending the unveiling of the Boys and Girls Club’s outdoor pool. “I’ve witnessed tremendous progress in New Orleans, especially within this Boys and Girls Club, and I love being a part of it,” he noted.
Jordan spends his off Tuesdays in the New Orleans community, mentioning, “What often goes unseen is how many other players are also committed to making a difference, and it’s wonderful that the NFL backs these efforts.”
“My aim is to give back to the community,” Jordan emphasized. “If you’re seeking something in return, then this isn’t the right place. I thrive on the energy of these kids; they start off unsure but by the end, they’re fully engaged, and that resonates with me—I’m all in.”
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Tyler Millen is a student at the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
