One of the greatest honors in all of the NFL is bestowed upon one player each year via the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. And this year, the Jacksonville Jaguars have put forth veteran offensive lineman Tyler Shatley as their prestigious nominee.
The award recognizes the NFL player that best demonstrates outstanding community service and excellence on the field.
“It was an honor to recently share with our team that Tyler is the Jaguars’ 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said in a statement.
“Without exception, everyone welcomed the news and was thrilled for Tyler and his family. Tyler is a terrific teammate and a man of high character and integrity, who long ago established himself as a leader in our building and in the Jacksonville community, so it is fitting that he be recognized for such a prestigious league honor.”
Playing his ninth season with the Jaguars after signing with the franchise as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Shatley is the longest-tenured player on the roster.
"In his spare time, he supports multiple nonprofits and their work, including teaming up with Feeding Northeast Florida to help combat food insecurity, making holiday toy donations to the children at Ronald McDonald House and spending time with patients at Wolfson Children’s Hospital," the Jaguars said in a statement.
"Sponsored By Grace and SeaMark Ranch are two nonprofits in which Shatley invests considerable time and resources. Both Northeast Florida organizations are dedicated to bringing hope and faith to children and families while meeting their physical needs and preparing them for a successful future. Shatley has represented these organizations for several years on his cleats, including this season, during the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign to bring awareness to their causes. For Halloween, he invited 50 kids from Sponsored by Grace to TIAA Bank Field to trick-or-treat in a fun and safe environment, which included a pizza party, Halloween festivities and a haunted house tour."
“Tyler is an outstanding man of faith, husband, and father of his children,” said Ron Armstrong, founder and executive director of Sponsored by Grace. “Over the last two years, he has become an advocate for Sponsored by GRACE and Grounds of GRACE, whether that is through support programs or helping launch our first coffee shop. We would not be where we are today if not for Tyler and his generosity and partnership.”
Shatley has appeared in 123 games with the Jaguars since 2014, the 11th-most in franchise history. He has made 40 starts in that span, including seven starts at left guard this year.
As a nominee, Tyler will wear a 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.
All 32 team winners will be highlighted as nominees and recognized for their important work during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LVII. The 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air the Thursday before Super Bowl LVII, on NBC. The winner of the award each year receives a $250,000 donated to the winner's charity of choice. All other 31 nominees receive up to $40,000 donated to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
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