Among the many things that Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is known for, his positive impact on the community and willingness to help others is at the top of it. It was announced on Thursday that Mike Evans is the Bucs’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man Of The Year award this season. This is the fourth time that Evans has been nominated for the prestigious award after previously being nominated three years in a row from 2019 to 2021.

Every year all 32 NFL teams have one player from their organization that is nominated for the Walter Payton Man Of The Year award. It is considered one of the most esteemed honors in the NFL. It honors the winner for their outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

Bucs WR Mike Evans and Panthers CB Jaycee Horn – Photo by: USA Today

Mike Evans has been able to support others through his charity, the Mike Evans Family Foundation. Alongside his wife Ashli, they founded the foundation in 2017 with the mission to make a difference in the lives of children and families in need. In doing so, he has established programming designed to empower youth, encourage education and stand against domestic violence.

Every year, the Mike Evans Family Foundation awards college scholarships to seniors in high school. This year in 2024, the foundation gave out over $170,000 in scholarships to 15 students. Evans has established a number of other programs, too, including Catch For Kids. For every yard he earns during the season, one essential item is donated to help others, and for every touchdown he scores, 13 additional items are donated.

Since the program was established, nearly 5,000 essential items have been donated to organizations based in Tampa as well as his hometown of Galveston, Texas.

Mike Evans is committed to helping kids succeed on the field as well, hosting the Mike Evans Family Foundation Youth Football Camp annually in Galveston. Working with his former high school coaches, local businesses and community members, Evans hosts the camp free of charge and this year even expanded outside the sport of football and hosted a youth basketball league.

And throughout the holiday season, Evans continues to give. Annually, the foundation hosts a variety of events including the “Catch for Christmas”, a holiday effort that raises money for victims of domestic violence, provides gifts for local children and helps fund college scholarships for students – a tradition they are continuing this December.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When difficult times have unexpectedly showed up, Mike Evans has showcased his commitment to helping others. Following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the Tampa Bay area, the Mike Evans Family Foundation donated $50,000 to aid in relief efforts. In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping the nation, the Evans family committed $100,000 from their foundation to support United Way Suncoast and the Galveston community to assist relief efforts.

These efforts are just two prime examples of the many acts of kindness Evans has carried out during his career, showcasing his steadfast commitment to helping others while reluctant to bask in the praise that comes with that.

Mike Evans Reacts To The Nomination

After getting the accolade, Evans shared his thoughts on what it means to get yet another nomination for this award.

“To be nominated for this award amongst the best our league has to offer is an incredible honor,” Evans said. “There is so much more to being a professional athlete than what you do on the field, and I am humbled to be nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year. I am so grateful to have this platform that allows me to positively impact those in need and to continue the important work we are doing through our foundation.”

All 32 nominees will be recognized during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The winner of the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard – Photo by: USA Today

Fans can participate in Nationwide’s annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Fans can vote on X 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 to the charity of their choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000. Charity Challenge voting takes place from Thursday, Dec. 5 to Monday, Jan. 6.

Starting in Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year’s nominees will wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field. Bucs fans will be able to see it on Evans’ jersey when the Bucs host the Raiders coming up this Sunday.