Patrick Mahomes thrilled to be Chiefs’ nominee for NFL’s ‘most prestigious honor’

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has brought joy to fans in Kansas City and beyond as the Chiefs have become an NFL powerhouse since he’s been the starter.

Mahomes has also made a deep impact on Kansas City itself. Last year, Mahomes and his 15 and the Mahomies foundation helped build a new inclusive playground at Martin Luther King Park, thanks to a $1 million donation.

The Chiefs noted Mahomes and his foundation have held free eye exams for children and encouraged dental screenings.

For those reasons and more, Mahomes was named Tuesday as the Chiefs’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which the NFL views as “the league’s most prestigious honor.”

“I know how special this honor is and the history behind it here in Kansas City,” Mahomes said in a statement. “(My wife) Brittany and I take great pride in the platform we have to give back to a community that has given us so much over the last six years. Through the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, we’ve been able to make an impact and support underserved children, but we still have a long way to go and we’re going to continue to provide resources to give these kids more and more opportunities.

“To be recognized for such a prestigious award means the world to me and I’m thankful to represent my foundation, Walter Payton and his family, the Hunt family, this team and all of Chiefs Kingdom on such a significant stage.”

The NFL said the 32 nominees will receive a donation of up to $40,000 in their name to their charity of choice with the award winner receiving an additional $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

Each of the nominees, including Mahomes, will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year decal on their helmet through the end of the season.

The Chiefs noted that Mahomes’ foundation has helped multiple groups, which includes “funding adoptions for rescue dogs complete with a year’s worth of supplies for their forever homes; funding supplies for art-focused after-school programs and traditional classrooms; funding Camp Hope scholarships for youth battling cancer; outfitting youth football teams with equipment and jerseys; covering educational tutorial programs for students in the urban core; funding scholarships for the children of fallen or active-duty military members; supporting athletes competing in Special Olympics; and providing assistance to anti-bullying organizations for in-school publicity.”

The 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be revealed at the NFL Honors show on the Thursday before Super Bowl LVII.

“I believe Patrick embodies the true characteristics this award recognizes,” Chiefs chairman/CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. “Since joining the Chiefs in 2017, Patrick has continued to display an unwavering commitment to helping those in need. The work he does through the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation has impacted many in our community, and there really is no limit to what he can and will continue to do for Chiefs Kingdom and beyond.”