Arik Armstead is 49ers' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for 3rd consecutive year
There aren't many NFL players doing more for their community than San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who was nominated for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for a third consecutive season.
The WPMOY is an award given to players who exhibit excellence both on and off the field.
"I consider my career as what I do on the field and off the field. I think they both go hand in hand," Armstead said in a statement. "I know a lot of guys do a lot of amazing things in the community, so to be a part of that and be honored with them is a huge experience for me and I don't take it lightly. It's going to allow us to do more work and serve more people."
While Armstead has dealt with foot and ankle injuries that have limited him to just four games this season, his impact was apparent in the team's 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 13 when he helped create havoc in the middle of the defensive line that caused QB Tua Tagovailoa to have his worst outing of the year.
Last season Armstead played the best football of his career down the stretch and picked up 3.0 sacks in the final two weeks to help the 49ers secure a playoff spot.
While Armstead has been a force on the field for San Francisco, it's the impact he consistently has off the field that's made him the 49ers' WPMOY nominee in each of the last three seasons.
His foundation, the Armstead Academic Project, is committed to social justice and equity in youth education. He holds storytimes for students across the Bay Area and provides glasses to children in need. He has met with community leaders to discuss how to reach underprivileged students and provide resources for children in the Black community. He's hosted kids on college tours and at 49ers games and provides holiday gifts for patients at the local children's hospital.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be given out Feb. 9 during NFL Honors before the Super Bowl. All nominees are awarded $40,000 to the charity of their choice, while the winner of the award gets $250,000 to a charity of their choice.
Paste BN Sports+ producer Victoria Hernandez contributed to this story.