Jaguars’ Calais Campbell named Walter Payton Man of the Year

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — By now, you’ve probably heard that Jacksonville Jaguar Calais Campbell won the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year.

That award goes to the player who shows the most commitment to his community off the field.

You may not realize all Campbell does for Jacksonville, so Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole talked to local organizations about the “Mayor of Sacksonville.”

While many of us love to root for Calais Campbell on the field.

There are even more people rooting for the defensive end when he’s off the field.

"Many people don’t know what he does behind the scenes, but he’s a person that gives from his heart,” said Michelle McGriff.

She’s the vice president of community relations for Feeding Northeast Florida.

Thanks to his Jacksonville Jaguars’ teammates nomination, he’s been named the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The award was established 50 years ago, in 1970.

It was named after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.

The award is putting the spotlight on Campbell’s passion and dedication to the Northeast Florida community.

"We were one of his charities that he donated to the month of September. And when he did each time he got a tackle, he would donate so many dollars to us. We received $20,000,” McGriff said.

McGriff told Cole his generosity has inspired other community partners to donate, too.

Campbell first got involved with Feeding Northeast Florida last year.

In November, he made sure that food from the shelves of the food bank made it to the tables of more than 100 families for Thanksgiving.

Campbell has also held Christmas shopping sprees while encouraging kids to learn about financial literacy, partnered with JaxPal for their Youth Football and STEM camp, and has worked with Kids Hope Alliance to speak to high school and college students.

And it doesn’t end there: The Mayor of Sacksonville also has his own foundation, named after his father who passed in 2003.

The Charles Richard Campbell Foundation was created to teach young people critical life skills.

As the winner of the award, Campbell a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

"He has a lot of compassion. And to see that display to the nation was awesome, not just for us but for Calais and his family, as well,” McGriff said.

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