Credit: New Orleans Saints
By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Each year the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award recognizes players who “excel on-the-field and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.”
Each team names one nominee from its roster based on their contributions to the community as well as between the lines on the field. This year, the New Orleans Saints have selected linebacker Demario Davis.
Congrats to @demario__davis on being named the #Saints club winner for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year!@devoteddreamers | @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/vIpRoJCMNy
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 4, 2025
“I am truly humbled to be the 2025 team winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award,” said Davis. “Growing up in Mississippi, Walter Payton the football player was always someone I looked up to. As I got older, learning about the things he did in the community only increased my respect of him even more. Through my Devoted Dreamers Foundation, we are more committed than ever to develop youth to become dynamic young men and women who will lead this community into the future.”
Davis started the Devoted Dreamers Foundation with his wife, Tamela, in 2013. Since, the organization has completed numerous initiatives in New Orleans and is his home state of Mississippi. Some initiatives include launching a leadership mentoring program with The 18th Ward, providing micro-grants to small businesses, serving as the player representative for the Saints and NFL in Paris and much more.
There’s no doubt that Davis has created lasting impact and change. In the past, he has also worked hard to support criminal justice reform, served as a voting rights advocate for those with non-violent offenses and worked to end prison pipelines. All of which have had notable and demonstrable positive impacts on the communities with which he has interacted.
The Davis’ Devoted Dreamers foundation will receive up to $55,000 and if selected as the national winner, the foundation would receive up to $265,000 from both the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.
Here’s how you can play a role:
Fans can vote on X/Twitter by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name/X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The nominee who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide, with the nonprofit partners of the runner-up and third-place finishers receiving $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. Charity Challenge voting takes place from December 4 to January 5, 2026.
The national winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5.
“New Orleans is a city that hugs you; we’re just hugging the city back”
Taking a moment to honor our @NFL Man of the Year club winner 🏆 @demario__davis #WPMOYChallenge | @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/hTY2VV1Lya
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 4, 2025
More New Orleans Saints
