In recognition of Kelce’s win, Nationwide has awarded a $35,000 donation to Kelce’s foundation, 87 & Running.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee receives $35,000 from Nationwide to benefit 87 & Running

For the fourth time in the last five years, a Kansas City Chiefs nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, presented by Nationwide, has won Nationwide’s Charity Challenge as tight end Travis Kelce racked up more than two million votes to take home his second title.

The two-time Man of the Year nominee previously won the Charity Challenge in 2020-21. In recognition of this year’s win, Nationwide will award a $35,000 donation to Kelce’s foundation, 87 & Running.

Kelce’s first-place finish gives the Chiefs their fifth Charity Challenge crown and makes Kelce the first two-time winner in the program’s ten-year history. Previous Chiefs to win include Patrick Mahomes (2022-23), Tyrann Mathieu (2021-22) and Eric Berry (2015-16).

Established by Kelce in 2015, 87 & Running exists to empower underserved youth to achieve success by providing resources and support to their communities and cultivating their talent in the areas of education, business, athletics, STEM, and the arts.

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The foundation’s most recent initiative is the Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab powered by 87 & Running, a transformative launchpad for teens ages 14-18 who reside in under-resourced neighborhoods in Kansas City. The lab provides a safe environment, cutting-edge equipment, essential resources, and committed mentors to help participants unleash their entrepreneurial and STEM potential.

“Congratulations to Travis on becoming the first two-time winner of Nationwide’s Charity Challenge,” said Jim McCoy, Associate Vice President of Sports Marketing for Nationwide. “Thanks to all who voted for their favorite nominees and drawing well deserved attention to the impact all of these players are making in communities everywhere.”

Nationwide created Charity Challenge to further elevate and showcase the work that each of the 32 nominees are doing to improve the lives of others. The contest, which ran online and via X/Twitter from Dec. 5, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2025, gives NFL fans the opportunity to support their favorite nominees and gives players a chance to earn donations from Nationwide to benefit their chosen charity.

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins finished second while Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans placed third. The charitable beneficiaries of Dawkins and Evans will each receive a donation of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

Since becoming presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2014, Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation have contributed more than $3.3 million to the charitable foundations represented by the various nominees.

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The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during the NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, February 6.

To learn more about the stories of all 32 nominees and for more information about the award, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.