The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is one of the highest honors in professional football. Presented on Saturday, Feb. 6 — the night before the Super Bowl — the award recognizes excellence not only on the field but in philanthropy and community impact. It is a distinction deeply cherished by the league and its past winners alike.
While the award celebrates the players and their contributions both on and off the field, this year the spotlight extended to the women who helped shape some of the league’s most community-driven athletes: their mothers — an effort supported by JCPenney.
Ahead of the big night, Culetta Beachum, mother of Arizona Cardinals tackle and education advocate Kelvin Beachum, and Martha Thomas, mother of Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle and mental health champion Solomon Thomas, were treated to the full red-carpet experience. From glam squads to shopping sprees, the celebration was fitting for the women who raised not only standout players but remarkable men.
For both Beachum and Thomas, seeing their sons nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is emotional — not just because of football, but because the honor recognizes who their sons are when the cameras are off.
“We’re obviously so proud of him,” Thomas told Blavity when asked how she feels about her son’s nomination.
She continued, “We’re proud of him playing in the NFL, but prouder of the man that he is. And really in awe of it, just simply because of the amount of work that so many people do in the league, and to be honored alongside so many other great players is very humbling.”
Both players have been nominated for the award multiple times — a testament to their sustained commitment to service.
Kelvin’s advocacy focuses on fighting hunger, expanding access to clean water, funding water wells across Africa and promoting STEAM education through initiatives such as “Kelvin Konnects,” where he has awarded more than $55,000 in college scholarships.
Solomon is the co-founder of The Defensive Line, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health awareness. He launched the nonprofit with his parents in honor of his late sister, Ella.
Both mothers agree that their sons’ philanthropy and compassion began at home.
“He always had a heart for others,” Beachum said of Kelvin, the oldest of four.
“He always cared for his siblings and the different kids in the neighborhood. He always wanted to make sure everybody had something to eat,” she said. Kelvin’s anti-hunger efforts have included contributing more than $360,000 to Arizona food banks and hosting annual fundraisers.
Beachum also recalled her son’s eagerness to participate in back-to-school community events, noting that many of his life lessons were instilled by his grandparents, parents and church family.
Thomas shared similar memories of Solomon volunteering at homeless shelters and other community-based programs when he was young. After losing his sister, he became especially passionate about working with youth and advocating for mental health awareness.
“We train people who are leading young people. We work with a lot of coaches and help them understand how to respond if someone has a mental health crisis,” Thomas said of the work she and her son are doing with The Defensive Line.
She continued, “We teach them how to make sure they’re providing a safe and supportive environment for the students, the athletes that they get to spend so much time with.”
While mothers are often praised for supporting their sons on the journey to the pros, the women felt just as radiant walking the red carpet at NFL Honors alongside them. For a few days, they were allowed to put themselves first and let people pour into them, as they have done for their families.