Bobby Okereke is the New York Giants’ nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
The award recognizes players who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.
“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is our league’s most revered honor, celebrating players for their excellence both on and off the field,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “These 32 men represent the best of the NFL, and the incredible contributions they make to their teams and communities every day continue to keep Walter’s legacy alive.”
The winner will announced during the prime-time ‘NFL Honors’ special on Feb 5.
Eli Manning is the only Giants player ever to receive the award, which was first given to Johnny Unitas in 1970.
“It meant a lot,” Okereke said. “[My family was] pretty emotional just thinking about when I started playing football in high school, back to my Boy Scout days and choir and everything. I just think it was a proud moment for them seeing me grow up and become the young man I’ve become.
“Since I’ve been a player in this league, I’ve always heard it’s one of the most prestigious awards because of the community service aspect. We’ve all heard the quote: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ That’s how I’ve tried to live my life. That’s how my parents raised me. So, to be recognized for this award is a testament to them, a testament to all the hard work and my teammates supporting me, and how the Giants organization has uplifted me since I’ve been here.”
A Nigerian-American, Okereke is involved in NFL Africa, created the Nigerian American Football Foundation, and is involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of New Jersey.
Giants’ backup quarterback Russell Wilson won the award in 2020 while with the Seattle Seahawks.
“Such a blessing, that’s forever on your jersey,” said Wilson, who won the award in 2020 with the Seahawks. “It’s one of my greatest honors.
“It’s the most prestigious award, in my opinion, in the NFL,” he said. “Obviously winning the Lombardi is one of them, but just like it takes a team and a village to win the Lombardi, it takes a team and a village to be able to be honored and win a Man of the Year Award. I’ve been fortunate to be blessed to be around so many amazing people and just be able to give back so much. With our Why Not You Foundation, it has been an amazing journey and what we’ve been able to build.”
Wilson lauded Okereke’s work.
“I think the most important part is every time you walk into the stadium and every time you walk into a building or a room or space, do you change their space? I think Bobby Okereke does that in a great way,” said Wilson. “He’s the light of a room in every room he goes into, every space. He’s a guy that is obviously extremely smart going to Stanford and the impact that he’s had over the game and how he plays the game. He’s a tremendous leader and captain, but he’s a great friend, too. He’s a great representative of the New York Giants.”
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