NASHVILLE – Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons is the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for the second year in a row.

Considered one of the league's most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

• LEARN MORE ABOUT JEFFERY SIMMONS' COMMUNITY EFFORTS
• VOTE FOR JEFFERY SIMMONS
• POST YOUR VOTE ON X

"I got emotional (when I found out)," Simmons said on Wednesday. "I always say: It's a blessing to be a blessing. God put me in a position to be able to bless, and help others. And, to put a smile on the faces of others in the community, it means a lot. … It feels great, especially with me, knowing where I came from. I want to be a light in the community, and this means a lot to me and my family. I always tell people I don't do it for awards. I do it because I care."

Simmons was honored to be selected in back-to-back years.

"Being considered for Walter Payton Man of the Year for a second time is truly one of the greatest honors of my career," he said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to play the game, but even more thankful for the platform it offers me and the ways I can bless others. I realize there is more work for me to do in the community and I will continue to make that one of my greatest priorities and passions. I am truly thankful to the Titans organization and the NFL for supporting my efforts and helping champion my mission."

As a nominee, Simmons 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.

"I am continually proud of the level of commitment our players show the community. Their influence is powerful, and Jeffery is a perfect example of someone who is using their platform for good," said Titans head coach Brian Callahan. "He embodies everything the Walter Payton Man of the Year award stands for – leadership on and off the field, working tirelessly to inspire others and be the best man and teammate possible."

All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements 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.

Each nominee will receive up to $55,000 and the award winner will receive up to a $265,000 donation to their charity of choice.

Since launching the Give Em A Reason Foundation in 2022, Simmons, raised by a single mother with five children, has consistently hosted a number of giveback initiatives as part of his non-profit's mission to serve others through youth empowerment and self-esteem-building opportunities.

Through his "Give Em a Reason" Foundation, Simmons hopes to offer kids from a similar background a reason to hope, reach, grow and never give up. Simmons hand selects the organizations who will benefit, and he goes beyond writing checks, he shows up. He sees the need for male role models and mentors, and he answers the call.

"Each and every day that's my goal," Simmons said. "If I see a young kid, I never turn a kid down for a picture because they look up to us, and we set examples by giving back to our community. We need to let these kids know they can be here, no matter if they want to be a lawyer, or whatever it may be, you know, whatever. Never give up on your dreams."

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Here's a look at what Simmons has done in the community this year alone:

May 2024

Big Graduation: Attended Big Brothers Big Sisters Middle Tennessee Big Graduation event, speaking at the event to congratulate the graduating class and wish them well in their future endeavors.

July 2024

-Ongoing partnership with Noxubee Titans: Revived the youth football and cheerleading programs in his hometown with an investment of $50,000 into the Noxubee Titans. Ongoing support of: Uniforms, practice equipment, field maintenance, food, coaches, uniforms and pompoms for cheerleaders.

-Community Fun Day in Macon, MS: A big block party type event in Simmons' hometown with free food, musical performances, dancing, fireworks, and family-friendly activities.

-Dicks Shopping Trip: Took 10 kids who would be attending his free youth football camp the next day to stock up on gear for the camp and the upcoming football season. Each kid received a $300 gift card.

-Jeffery Simmons Youth Football Camp: Two-day youth football camp in Starkville, MS for over 500 youth.

-Took 10 kids from FrankTown Open Hearts back-to-school shopping at Dicks Sporting Goods in Nashville. Each kid received a $300 gift card

August 2024

-Pinnacle Toy Drive: Supported Pinnacle Banks toy drives at the beginning of the season by working with them to provide incentives to donate toys to the drive.

-Met with the group on the field of a pre-season game

September 2024

-Give Em A Reason Fundraiser/Community Event: Brought together members of the community to learn more about Give Em A Reason Foundation and its vision for the future.

-Visit to Seacrest Studios

October 2024

-Attended Titans Fireball Fridays Game of the Week at Blackman High School, where he served as guest captain and interacted with the team/fans.

-Attended T-Rac School Show at Cockrill Elementary School and played games with students.

November 2024

-Nashville Rescue Mission: Give Em A Reason matched monetary funds raised at the Titans home game on November 3rd for the coat drive they were hosting. Simmons visited Nashville Rescue Mission the following Tuesday to service lunch and interact with the community members there.

-Visited with kids at Preston Taylor Ministries after school program through Big Brothers Big Sisters

-Hosted 64 kids from Backfield in Motion at Nissan Stadium with a Thanksgiving event at Nissan Stadium. The event included a light buffet catered by Hattie B's followed by a roundtable talk where students heard from various current and former athletes and other leaders from the Tennessee community. The students heard about their journeys to success, talked about their own goals for the future, and asked questions. After the event, each student was given a turkey and sides from Hattie B's and a pair of Crocs to take home for Thanksgiving.

December 2024

-Participated in Titans Community Tuesday event with Tennessee Kids Belong where 35 foster care children were treated to a winter wonderland day at Nissan Stadium.

-Visit to Seacrest Studios.

-Will be doing his own holiday shopping trip with kids from Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Fans are once again encouraged to 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/Twitter 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 Sunday, Jan. 6.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year award was established in 1970. It was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.