The Jacksonville Jaguars have nominated LB Myles Jack for the NFL’s 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, the NFL announced today. Considered the League's most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes NFL players who have not only exhibited excellence on the field but also whose passion to impact lives extends beyond the game and has led them to leave a positive legacy in their communities. The 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air the Thursday before Super Bowl LVI on ABC.
Originally drafted by the Jaguars in 2016, Jack has dedicated his time, talents and resources to the Jacksonville community with a heart to give back to the next generation. In an effort to emphasize the importance of youth education, Jack's annual Back to School event provides 120-plus kids with school supplies, backpacks, new clothing, shoes and Jaguars giveaways to support their return to school. Each school year, Jack also awards two $4,000 scholarships to students at Edward Waters University to assist with books and tuition.
Through Jack's donation of $10,000 to JEA in 2019, he assisted many Jacksonville residents with keeping their water and lights running. Each holiday season, Jack also hosts a shopping spree for underserved children to give them an opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for their families. With COVID-19 still affecting many families, Jack provided a local youth football team and their families with Publix and Academy Sports gift cards to help with groceries and other necessities.
Jack has also embraced Jacksonville's robust military community. In 2019, he embarked on a weeklong tour to South Korea with the USO to salute and honor those who protect and defend our freedoms abroad. He also has participated in many stateside military appreciation events, including Pros vs. GI Joe, an event where the Jaguars invite 25 active-duty military members to interact with players through video game challenges. Jack participated in the Stars and Strikes bowling event to spend time with and support 200 military members and their families for a free night of bowling at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville. He also helps support the team's annual care package event during which staff, coaches and players put together care packages for deployed soldiers as part of the St. Michael's Soldiers non-profit mission.
In 2021, the Myles Jack Foundation provided Jaguars swag for military families, including 250-plus children at the 1st Annual Jaguars Trunk or Treat event. The event provided children an evening of trick-or-treating in a fun and safe environment. The sixth-year linebacker also previously hosted a free movie night for 150-plus military families and children.
Since entering the league in 2016, Jack has recorded 78 starts and has tallied nearly 500 tackles including 19 tackles for loss. He has recorded double-digit tackles 15 times in his career. Additionally, Jack has recorded 15 passes defensed and hauled in three INTs. He has also totaled 6.5 career sacks. Jack was named a team captain for the third consecutive year this season.
Jack chose to support Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (HabiJax) in the NFL’s 2021 My Cause, My Cleats initiative. Over the last year, Jack and his mother La Sonjia have lent a helping hand to the Duval County community by providing homeownership opportunities and other housing services.
The 32 nominees for the 2021 award will wear a Man of the Year helmet decal starting Week 14 through the end of the season, in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.
