HOUSTON – Today, the Houston Texans announced that S Jalen Pitre is the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. Considered the league's most prestigious honor, the award recognizes players who excel on the field and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.
"Jalen Pitre is a shining example of an exceptional leader on and off the field," Houston Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair said. "As a hometown player, we're so proud of the impact he's had in our community and look forward to his continued commitment to H-Town for many years to come. Jalen is incredibly deserving of this honor and we know how much this means to him."
In his third season with the Texans, Pitre continues to show up for his hometown community. This year, he remains a devoted advocate for Kids' Meals, a local nonprofit organization that delivers free, healthy meals year-round directly to the homes of hungry preschool-aged children in an effort to end childhood hunger. Last season, Pitre teamed up with Kids' Meals to lead the "Feed 5 More" campaign that continues today. Through $5 incremental, crowd-sourced donations, his goal is to raise funds to feed 55,555 kids.
Pitre also serves as a sponsor in the Texans' Community Huddle Ticket Program this season, which gives people who may not otherwise have a chance to attend an NFL game the opportunity to have a unique and special gameday experience. Every home game, the Stafford Cobras, the youth football team Pitre played on growing up, are treated to tickets, food vouchers and parking passes thanks to his generosity.
"My parents always taught me that if anyone was in need and we had the means that we should lend a helping hand," Pitre said. "I'm blessed to be in this position now, and it's my duty to help and shed light on others who need it. I have a ton of gratitude and appreciation that I was chosen as a nominee for this award. I hope I can continue to inspire and encourage people to help others as much as they can."
S Jalen Pitre has been named the team's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Check out the best photos of Pitre when he was surprised with the news.
Each of the league's 32 nominees will receive up to a $55,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation. The 2024 winner will receive up to $265,000 and will be announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 6. As a nominee, Pitre will wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows them 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 name/X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. Pitre's X handle is @JalenPitre1. 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 until Jan. 6, 2025.
For more information on the nominees and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide, visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.
S Jalen Pitre announced as Houston Texans Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Check out photos of Pitre on and off the field.
An Oct. 25, 2022 Image from the Rookies Play 60 Community Development Event at Burnet Elementary in Houston, TX.
An image from the Sept 25, 2022 regular season Week 3 away game against the Chicago Bears. The Texans lost 20-23.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game versus the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game versus the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game versus the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Sept 25, 2022 regular season Week 3 away game against the Chicago Bears. The Texans lost 20-23.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
An image from the October 6th, 2024 Week 5 home game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans won 23-20.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 19th, 2024 Jalen Pitre Stafford Cobras Surprise at Stafford High School Practice Field in Houston, TX.
A September 29th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 18th, 2024 Week 11 away game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The Texans won 34-10.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game versus the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game versus the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game versus the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An August 1st, 2024 image from the preseason week 0 Hall of Fame Game versus the Chicago Bears at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH.
An August 1st, 2024 image from the preseason week 0 Hall of Fame Game versus the Chicago Bears at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH.
A December 24th, 2023 image from the Regular Season week 16 game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A January 13th, 2024 image from the Playoffs Wildcard game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A January 6th, 2024 image from the Regular Season week 18 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.
A May 4th, 2024 image from the J.J. Watt Charity Classic at the SugarLand Space Cowboys Stadium in SugarLand, TX.
An Oct. 25, 2022 Image from the Rookies Play 60 Community Development Event at Burnet Elementary in Houston, TX.
A January 20th, 2024 image from the Playoffs Divisional Round game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.
A December 21st, 2023 image from the Legends and Players Holiday Surprise and Delight at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A December 17th, 2023 image from the Regular Season week 15 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN.
A November 26th, 2023 image from the Regular Season week 12 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A November 26th, 2023 image from the Regular Season week 12 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the May 20, 2023 Texans Care Volunteer Day location, the Houston Food Bank.
A November 12th, 2023 image from the Regular Season week 10 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
A November 19th, 2023 image from the Regular Season week 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A November 16th, 2023 image from Heroes Tailgate at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A November 16th, 2023 image from Heroes Tailgate at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the April 27, 2023 Houston Texans Draft Party at Miller Outdoor in Houston, TX.
A Dec 02, 2022 image from the Community Development Holiday Shopping Event hosted by Jon Weeks at Target in Houston, TX.
An Oct. 25, 2022 Image from the Rookies Play 60 Community Development Event at Burnet Elementary in Houston, TX.
An image from the Sept 25, 2022 regular season Week 3 away game against the Chicago Bears. The Texans lost 20-23.
An image from the Sept 25, 2022 regular season Week 3 away game against the Chicago Bears. The Texans lost 20-23.
An image from the March 14, 2024 New Uniform Rebrand photoshoot at Post Houston in Houston, TX.
