Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Jones named Payton nominee
Linebacker helps community charities
It didn’t take Byron Jones long to make an impact in the South Florida community with his charitable efforts.
The cornerback the Miami Dolphins added via free agency last offseason continued the community service efforts he started during his career with the Dallas Cowboys in his new home. As a result, he was selected as the Dolphins’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which annually recognizes NFL players for their community service.
All of the league’s 32 nominees were announced Thursday and the list includes former Dolphins safety Michael Thomas, who has continued his community work while a member of the Houston Texans.
Jones, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract this offseason, spent every Tuesday leading the team’s Social Impact Committee in conference calls, community events and helped set the vision for the committee’s agenda.
The Dolphins began the season with a powerful social justice video, explaining why they wouldn’t be on the field during the playing of the national anthem until social justice issues are properly addressed in America.
Jones, who has 23 tackles and two pass breakups in 10 games this season, also hosts football camps in his hometown to empower youngsters to get involved in both football and their communities, teaching them about teamwork, responsibility and dependability.
Jones, and every team’s nominee for the honor, will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.
All 32 team winners will be highlighted as nominees and recognized for their important work during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LV.
The 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air the week of Super Bowl LV on CBS.
All 32 nominees will receive a $40,000 donation in their name to their charity of choice. The winner of the award will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was Miami’s nominee last year, and Kenny Stills was nominated for the honor before that.
Dolphins players have won the award three times previously. Offensive lineman Dwight Stephenson won in 1985, quarterback Dan Marino won in 1998 and defensive end Jason Taylor in 2007.