Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Jones is one of 32 players across the league nominated for the honor. Cornerback Jonathan Jones has been named the New England Patriots’ 2023 nominee for one of the NFL’s most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Jones is one of 32 players nominated by their respective teams. The award, named after the late Chicago Bears running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton, acknowledges players not just for their work on the field but off it as well. Jones has proven himself a worthy nominee in the eyes of the Patriots organization. “Jonathan has been a tremendous ambassador for the Patriots since he joined the team as a rookie free agent in 2016. Every year, his role and contributions have grown, both on the field and in the community,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “He started the Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation to positively impact the lives of youth in his New England and Georgia communities through education and mentorship. He became the first male ambassador for ‘iPlay Like a Girl’ through his advocacy for women and girls in sports, and he continues to empower young women to excel in STEM fields. I am proud to have him represent the New England Patriots as this year’s nominee” “It’s just a no-brainer for me to turn around and help other people.”Congratulations to our Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, @justjjones.#WPMOYChallenge | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/8YJktlNHH0— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 5, 2023 As Kraft noted in his statement, Jones joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and has since developed into one of the team’s most valuable members. Besides his on-field work — which includes a pair of Super Bowl rings and a combined 118 regular and postseason appearances — Jones has also been heavily involved in the community. His charitable efforts extend beyond New England, and also positively impact lives in his hometown of Carrollton, Georgia and the city of Auburn, Alabama, where he went to college. Jones is leading the Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation and is supporting the Food Bank of East Alabama. He also has been named the first male ambassador for iPlay Like A Girl, an organization supporting women and girls in STEM and sports, has been actively involved with the Auburn Sustenance Project to aid students in need, is a member of For(bes) the Culture, a network to support current and future minority leaders, founded the Trojan Student-Athlete Development Fund with a $100,000 gift, and has been an active participant with the local work done by the Patriots Foundation. As a result of his work, Jones has received multiple accolades — including the 2023 Ron Burton Community Service Award. In addition, the Mayor of Auburn, Alabama declared “Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation Day,” he was named “Friend of the Child” by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and was a finalist for the Alan Page Community Award. “It’s an honor any time that you are recognized for the work that you do, even when it’s something like this that you don’t do for recognition,” Jones said. “It’s always an honor to be recognized and to continue to go out there and help more people.” Jones as well as the other 31 nominees will wear a special decal on their helmets for the rest of the season, and be recognized in the week leading up to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. In addition, each nominee will receive a donation by the NFL Foundation of up to $55,000. The winner of the award, who will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony, will receive an additional $250,000 for the charity of his choice. Furthermore, the nominee who receives the most hashtag mentions and votes on Twitter will receive a $35,000 donation from Nationwide to a charity of their choice. The runner-up will get $10,000, and the third-place finisher $5,000. Voting takes place from Dec. 5 to Jan. 8 using the hashtag #WPMOYChallenge along with Jonathan Jones’ full name.
Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/2023/12/6/23 ... year-award
