GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Recognized for his community service both in Wisconsin and his home state of Texas, Aaron Jones is the Green Bay Packers’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
In announcing Jones’ nomination, the Packers organization points out his support of military causes. The son of U.S. Army veterans, Jones has participated in the Packers’ Salute to Service efforts, including sending videos to troops and speaking to youth at military academies. He has visited service members in hospitals and visited military bases. On Monday, Jones met with military families and paid for their purchases at the Lids store in Ashwaubenon.
Jones has also supported programs that benefit kids. He has attended events at Boys & Girls Clubs in Green Bay and Milwaukee, hosted football camps for kids in Wisconsin and El Paso, Texas, and visited with children in hospitals.
Jones and his twin brother, Alvin, have also started the A&A All the Way Foundation to benefit children.
“We are so proud of Aaron and all the work he does off the field for the community here in Wisconsin and in his hometown of El Paso,” Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said in a news release. “He exemplifies what it means to be devoted to both his team and his community. He is a great player, and an even better person. We are so fortunate to have him in Green Bay.”
As the Packers’ nominee, Jones will wear the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year decal on his helmet for the rest of the season. The winner will be announced in February.
A social media-based Charity Challenge is also part of the award. Fans can vote for Jones on Twitter by tweeting “#WPMOYChallenge Jones” or “#WPMOYChallenge @Showtyme_33” until Jan. 17. The player whose hashtag is used the most will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice, with the second-place winner earning a $10,000 donation and the third-place winner a $5,000 donation.
The winner receives $250,000 donated to a charity of his choice. All nominees receive up to $40,000 donated to their charity of choice from the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
Other nominees include former Packers players Jimmy Graham of the Chicago Bears and Corey Linsley of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, and its predecessor, the Gladiator Award, have been given out since 1969. Past winners include Packers players Bart Starr and Jim Flanigan and former Wisconsin Badgers players Troy Vincent, J.J. Watt and Russell Wilson.
