ST. LOUIS – Rams center 
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is a prestigious honor recognizing a player for his community service as well as his on the field performance. Each NFL team has the opportunity to nominate the player who they feel best exemplifies the philanthropic spirit of Chicago Bears' Hall of Fame running back, Walter Payton. The nominees from all 32 teams then compete against each other for the national award, which will be announced prior to the Super Bowl.
“I think it’s a tremendous honor and I’m very thankful,” said Brown. “I’ve only heard great things about Walter Payton and his endeavors while he was a player in the NFL. To be associated with the recognition of this award and honor I think is a blessing, and I’m very thankful for it.”
Jason’s passion for community service was evident when the Rams signed him in 2009. In addition to his own Foundation, Wisdom for Life, Jason immediately began volunteering his time in the St. Louis community and became the honorary spokesperson for “Reach Out St. Louis,” a program designed to combat the dropout rate in St. Louis city schools.
Jason has participated in numerous Rams’ community outreach activities, including waiting tables at the annual Make-A-Wish Celebrity Server Dinner, playing with toddlers at the St. Louis Crisis Nursery, building a playground for a local city school and delivering gift baskets to children in local hospitals. His greatest passion, however, is military and veteran outreach. Jason has a personal connection to the military as his brother, Lunsford Bernard Brown II, was killed while serving in Iraq in September 2003. Since arriving in St. Louis, Jason has recruited his fellow offensive linemen to join him in visiting local VA hospitals to thank the men and women for their service. He has also made several visits to the Fisher House, a comfort home for families to stay for free while their family members receive care at the VA hospital.
In addition to his military endeavors, Jason purchases 25 tickets to each Rams’ home game so underprivileged youth can experience the thrill of the NFL. Jason also joins with the entire offensive line to provide financial assistance to charities selected by the group.
About the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
The prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is unique among NFL honors. It is the only NFL award that recognizes a player for his community service activities as well as his excellence on the field. Renamed in 1999 after the legendary Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award has been awarded annually since 1970.
Each year a winner is chosen from a list comprised of one nominee from each team. The Man of the Year is selected by an elite panel of judges including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Sports Illustrated writer Peter King, Connie Payton (wife of the late Walter Payton), and former players Frank Gifford, Jack Kemp, Anthony Munoz and the previous year’s award winner. The NFL Man of the Year’s designated charity receives a $20,000 donation in his name. Charities selected by the other 31 team finalists each receive a $1,000 donation.
