Everyone knows the work Baker Mayfield has done on the field since signing with the Bucs in 2023. Mayfield has become Tampa Bay’s franchise quarterback, with two Pro Bowl selections over his first two seasons and serving as a fiery team captain. For as much as he makes a difference in deciding games and lifting up his teammates, he was recognized for his off-the-field work lifting up others in the community on Thursday morning.

The team announced Mayfield as their club winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide. This marks the first time Mayfield has been nominated for the league’s most distinguished honor, which recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities, as well as excellence on the field.

Baker Mayfield’s Impact Extends Beyond Football With How He Helps Others

For as much as Baker Mayfield makes an impact passing the football, how he has passed it on helping others is something he takes pride in. Sharing a statement after receiving the Bucs nomination for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, Mayfield is beyond thankful.

“Being recognized for this award alongside the best in our league is an extraordinary honor,” Mayfield said. “Our responsibility as professional athletes and NFL players extends far beyond what we do on the field, and it is incredibly humbling to be considered for Walter Payton Man of the Year. I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a difference through this platform and to help others overcome whatever challenges they may be facing.”

Since arriving in Tampa Bay, Mayfield has set roots within the community after launching the Baker & Emily Mayfield Foundation alongside his wife Emily. They hosted their first community event with the inaugural “Be the Ball” in Tampa, the latest happening this past August. In the last three years, this event has raised nearly $600,000 for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County to empower the next generation and enhance early childhood learning.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily Mayfield – Photo by: Adam Slivon/PR

Being someone who overcame a lot of challenges to be in the position he is in, Mayfield has gone out of his way to provide for those looking for a similar chance. A year ago, when Mayfield received word that a Florida high school would not have enough equipment for their football team to have a season, he stepped in to help, donating $17,900 for new shoulder pads and helmets to the Space Coast Vipers, located on the East Coast of Florida. This donation propelled the Vipers to make school history when they secured their first state title, winning the 2024 SSAA 1A State Championship.

Just before doing that, he hosted a youth football ProCamp at Land O’ Lakes High School in July 2024 that Pewter Report attended. Watching him out there playing and interacting kids, he was having as much genuine fun as they were.

“I enjoy watching these kids compete and it’s just so much fun,” Mayfield said at the event. “I think I get more enjoyment out of the whole process than they do, but it’s just fun being able to see kids love the game just like I do.”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Adam Slivon/PR

More recently, following a devastating 2024 hurricane season, Mayfield donated $50,000 towards relief efforts to Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization.

In May of this year, the Baker & Emily Mayfield Foundation also announced their “Walk-On Scholarship” for walk-on student athletes like Mayfield. The foundation has since awarded two $10,000 scholarships to active walk-on student athletes, renewable for up to three additional years for each eligible recipient.

These are all examples of what Mayfield has done in the Tampa Bay area, but his work has extended across the country since before he even entered the NFL as the first overall pick in 2018.

Mayfield began working with Meals on Wheels, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing seniors with meals by way of daily visits, in 2017 while at the University of Oklahoma, work he continues to this day. In April 2025, Mayfield alongside his wife Emily, hosted the No Bogeys with Baker and Emily Mayfield Fundraiser’ event in Oklahoma City, with all proceeds benefiting Meals on Wheels in Norman.

During his time with the Cleveland Browns, he hosted his annual Passing the Joy event at a local Boys & Girls Club each of his four seasons as a Brown, beginning in his rookie year. He is also an active volunteer with Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Being up for such a large honor comes with an ability to give back even more. Being the Bucs nominee means that Baker Mayfield will be given up to a $40,000 donation to a charity of his choice. The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will receive a $250,000 donation, all made possible by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.

You can do your part voting on X by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with mentioning Mayfield/@bakermayfield or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The club winner 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. 4 through Monday, Jan. 5.

The winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Information provided by the Bucs communications team was used in this story.