Andrew Whitworth Named Los Angeles RAM’s Nominee for the “Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.”

The Los Angeles Rams announced ANDREW WHITWORTH as their nominee for the WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD. Considered one of the league's most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award  recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

Since joining the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, Whitworth has been a leader on and off the field and active in a variety of charitable efforts.  As part of the Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination, Whitworth directed $50,000 to I Have a Dream Foundation Los Angeles to help under-resourced students succeed in school and have the opportunity for higher education. He is also in the process of building a STEM classroom for 112th Elementary school in Watts.

During the 2018 season, Whitworth took a leadership role during a period of multiple tragedies in Southern California. The team captain donated a game check to the families of the victims of the mass shooting

at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks. He also auctioned off his game-worn jersey to raise money for families affected by the shooting and the recent wildfires that raged across the region. Earlier in the season, Whitworth helped the Rams introduce the Los Angeles Rams "Night for Wishes" event benefiting Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties. He served as the event host and recruited his teammates to join in the effort to raise money to grant wishes for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. He also donated $20,000 to the ‘First Quarter for Literacy’ campaign designed to get books to children in under-resourced communities and continues to support various military and veterans efforts through his particularly strong relationship with Merging Vets and Players. Additionally, Whitworth purchases 50 tickets for every Rams home game and donates them to local charities.“I’ve been blessed to play in this league for 13 years and to be a part of some really good seasons,” said Whitworth. “But making a difference in someone’s life will go beyond football any day of the week. It’s not just about the game, it’s about the opportunity to bring people together. When I look back and think about my NFL career, the time spent out in the community giving back to people in need will always be the most touching to me.”

During his first season in Los Angeles, Whitworth purchased new bikes and helmets for all 600 students at an elementary school in Watts, one of Los Angeles' highest-need communities.  As part of the holiday visit to the school, he spoke to the students about displaying good character and then led them in a character pledge before surprising them with the new bikes and helmets. Whitworth also attended the NFL's PLAY 60 Character Camp for 300 local students and participated in the team’s Taste of the Rams event to raise money for the Los Angeles Area Food Bank.

“Andrew has continuously gone above and beyond to serve the greater Los Angeles community since joining the Rams in 2017,” said Molly Higgins, Rams Vice President of Community Affairs and Engagement. “While there are many exceptional NFL players doing meaningful community work, Andrew’s unparalleled compassion, the depth of his impact, breadth of his involvement and career longevity puts him in a league of his own. He is an exceptional steward for the Rams and the NFL, and a shining example of a professional athlete who understands and appreciates his opportunity to make a difference − and then makes a difference on a daily basis through both his actions and leadership in the locker room.”

Aside from his efforts in Los Angeles, Whitworth started The Big Whit 77 Foundation, with a mission to impact the lives of youth and families in his home state of Louisiana.  One of the foundation's programs, Whit's Warriors, offers financial assistance to high school seniors in Louisiana.  The program has awarded $400,000 in scholarships and school supplies.  Another program of the foundation is called Open Arms, which is one of the only programs in the state of Louisiana that offers financial assistance to families in the process of adoption. The Whitworths launched Open Arms with a belief that families, who have the desire to adopt, are not turned away due to overwhelming costs. The most recent program developed by The Big Whit 77 Foundation is the annual Wish List event, which pairs college athletes from ULM and Louisiana Tech with local families for fellowship and fun during the Christmas season.

As a nominee, Whitworth will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Yearhelmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.