Lawrence Guy Named Patriots Nominee For Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

Defensive end Lawrence Guy has been named the New England Patriots nominee for the annual NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Considered one of the most prestigious NFL honors, this award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field. All 32 NFL teams select one player for nomination.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by @Nationwide honors players making an impact both on-the-field and in their communities. #ItTakesAllOfUs to make a difference.

See all 32 nominees here: https://t.co/D8sTbEfNsc #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/KuvbOEOHvT

— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2022

Since joining the Patriots in 2017, Guy has become one of the most active players in the community. In addition to working with his foundation, Guy has participated in numerous events hosted by the New England Patriots Foundation, ranging from the Thanksgiving basket giveaway, the Holiday Party for 250 children from the Salvation Army, and community centers across the region, and Gifts from the Gridiron, a holiday shopping event for youth experiencing homelessness. Guy has also worn costumes for the annual Halloween celebration for children battling cancer. He is constantly seeking out more ways to get involved and give back. Guy aims to let his career as a football player serve as his platform to improve the lives of people in need.

The Lawrence Guy Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and opportunities for financially disadvantaged families with help from his wife, Andrea.

Back in August, the Guy family invited 150 high school students to Gillette Stadium for their 12th annual backpack giveaway, giving away backpacks that were filled with school supplies, snacks, and other necessities to get children ready for the upcoming school year.

“We are honored to nominate Lawrence Guy for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft in a statement. “Since he arrived in New England five years ago, no player has dedicated more time or more personal resources to positively impact the lives of others in our New England communities. Lawrence and his wife Andrea have made it a personal priority to do more every year that they have been here and continue to exceed all expectations in terms of their generosity. He leads by example and is a great ambassador for the Patriots, both on and off the field.”

As a nominee, Guy will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season to recognize his accomplishments on and off the field.

“It means a lot,” Guy said during a media availability session this week. “We like to go into the community. Me and my wife love to get involved in the community and put roots in those grounds and help out families that are in need. But the biggest thing is to inspire people for a change and inspire people to help everybody else out in the future.”

“So, being nominated for this award is heartwarming and a true blessing that everything I do is being noticed and acknowledged.”

All 32 nominees will receive recognition for their work during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LVII. The winner of the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be revealed during the NFL Honors awards special.

The Patriots shared footage of Guy at work in a special video dedicated to his community service below.