Derrick Henry and Walter Payton's legacies continue to be intertwined, both on and off the field.
Henry is the Ravens' 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year club winner
Each of the league's 32 nominees were announced Thursday for the award, which recognizes outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. This distinction marks the third time Henry has been nominated and the first time in Baltimore.
"I appreciate the organization nominating me for this prestigious award," Henry said during a team meeting this week. "I don't take giving back lightly. I want to put my hands in the community and give back to the youth because I was always that kid that looked up to athletes [who had] a platform, that had a lot of influence on kids and on communities. I take that to heart.
"I've just been doing the Lord's work. I've been blessed with a tremendous opportunity to impact lives and give back, and have a positive influence and be a light to so many kids where I'm from, across the world, [and in] communities I've been a part of. I'm going to keep trying to spread the love and give back."
Henry has been heavily involved in the community since he arrived in the league and in Baltimore last year. His Two All Foundation helps level the playing field for today's youth by giving back to both the Nashville community and his hometown of Yulee, Fla.
Henry distributed bookbags, school supplies, and winter coats to 465 students at Curtis Bay Elementary in Baltimore last year. In June, he hosted his annual Two All Community Day in Yulee, where he handed out backpacks, bikes, and toys to more than 300 kids. In July, his foundation took 80 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee back-to-school shopping. He also donated 200 Thanksgiving meals in 2024 and 2025, joined teammates for holiday shopping sprees, and delivered gifts to families in need.
Henry was a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in back-to-back years (2021-22) when he was with the Tennessee Titans. Now with the Ravens, Henry continues to hit milestones, passing Payton in career rushing touchdowns earlier this season and becoming the league's 11th all-time leading rusher last week.
This year's Walter Payton Man of the Year winner will be announced at the NFL Honors show on Feb. 5 before Super Bowl LX.
