A.J. Terrell Jr. Named Falcons’ 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award Winner

The Atlanta Falcons announced something incredibly special today — hometown hero A.J. Terrell Jr. has been named the team’s 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee. And honestly, there couldn’t be a more deserving choice. The award is one of the most respected honors in the entire league, recognizing players who show leadership on the field and create real, lasting impact off of it. Terrell has been doing both since the moment he stepped into Flowery Branch in 2020.

For A.J., giving back isn’t an offseason hobby — it’s part of who he is. Being drafted by his hometown team only made his purpose stronger. Through team events, community moments, and simply listening to the needs around him, he felt called to do more. That’s how the A.J. Terrell Jr. Foundation was born, built on the belief that Atlanta’s greatest investment is its youth. The foundation stands on powerful values: systemic awareness, sustainable change, collaboration, and an empathetic approach to leadership. And from day one, it has been moving the needle.

The foundation’s biggest impact comes through the A.J. Terrell Jr. Academy, launched in 2023. This program places academic athletic coaches directly inside high schools in under-resourced communities — helping student-athletes stay eligible, stay prepared, and stay on track for college and life beyond sports. Since its debut, the Academy has already:

• Supported more than 600 student-athletes
• Helped 90% remain academically eligible
• Boosted student GPAs by an average of 25%
• Delivered 400+ hours of mentorship, workshops, and academic coaching
• Connected students with college tours, NIL tools, and financial literacy resources
• Hosted leadership sessions with pro athletes, coaches, and educators

And the impact is only growing. This fall, A.J. hosted his first-ever “Mr. Atlanta Roller Ball,” a celebrity skating fundraiser that raised enough to double the Academy’s reach to more than 800 students by 2026. That’s real change.

He also poured directly into kids through CAMP HBCYouth, investing over $50,000 to provide summer field days and activities for families who wouldn’t have access otherwise. He even rolled up his sleeves and joined their field day at Morehouse College, bringing fun, football, and leadership to students from pre-K through fifth grade.

But A.J.’s heart for Atlanta extends far beyond the field and the classroom. His annual Crownucopia event continues to be a lifeline for women and children experiencing homelessness. This year, he provided care packages and meals to more than 245 women and children at My Sister’s House, then extended that generosity to 300+ men at the Shepherd’s Inn with holiday meals and gifts ahead of Thanksgiving.

To date, A.J. Terrell Jr. has donated over $1 million back into the Atlanta community.

And through all of this service, he’s still locking down receivers every Sunday. On the field, Terrell is quietly putting together one of the strongest seasons of his career:

• Allowed just 20 receptions and zero touchdowns in 10 games
• Logged seven passes defensed and 44 tackles
• Forced tight-window throws on 28.6% of targets
• Held opposing QBs to 55.4% completions when targeting him

Since arriving in 2020, he has started all 88 games, stacked 357 tackles, 56 passes defensed, six interceptions, and earned Second-Team All-Pro in 2021. Atlanta drafted a corner — but they gained a leader.

Now, Terrell will represent the Falcons as one of 32 nominees across the league. All club winners will be honored during Super Bowl week in the Bay Area, with the national winner announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5. Each nominee’s chosen charity receives up to $40,000, while the overall winner’s nonprofit receives up to $250,000, courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.

And Falcons fans — this is where you come in.

Nationwide’s Charity Challenge is back, and your votes can help A.J. bring even more resources into our community. Fans can show love by using

#WPMOYChallenge + A.J. Terrell Jr. on X/Twitter or by voting on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.

The player with the most votes earns an additional $35,000 for their charity. Voting runs Dec. 4 through Jan. 5, 2026.

Beginning in Week 14, A.J. and all nominees will wear the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal — a symbol of excellence, leadership, and heart.

And if there’s one thing A.J. Terrell Jr. has proven year after year, it’s this: Atlanta is not just where he plays — it’s who he plays for.

For more information on the award, visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.