FRISCO, Texas — Linebacker Jaylon Smith has been named the Dallas Cowboys’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The award is considered to be the league’s most esteemed and recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field and excellence on the field. Each of the league’s 32 nominees were announced on Thursday.
“ Jaylon exemplifies every quality that this award celebrates, “ Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, Charlotte Jones-Anderson described.
“ He has a light that he wants to share and shine on others that is rare. We are excited to see what more he can accomplish through his work with minority entrepreneurs and the many other endeavors that he supports.”
2020 has been a challenging year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and adjustment period for everyone, but Smith has continued to strive to make a difference in the North Texas Community and in his home state of Indiana. He has been a constant presence in charitable outreach programs, dating back to his rookie season when he was sidelined due to injury.
Smith suffered a gruesome knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl that derailed his pro career. The Fighting Irish linebacker was projected to be a sure thing, first-round draft pick, but after suffering a devastating torn ACL, nerve damage raised questions. The Cowboys gambled on Smith and selected him in the second-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, placing their bet on team doctors that said his nerve would rejuvenate.
Smith is no stranger to hardship but never complained or said ‘woe is me.’ Instead, he turned his efforts into helping others and leading by example. He wanted to be able to bless others and give them the same opportunity to financially succeed, leading him to launch the Minority Entrepreneurship Institute in partnership with RISE Sports Advisors and the Sagamore Institute. His personal business ventures exposed him to the need for investment in the minority entrepreneurial community.
Smith has pledged $2.5 million over 10 years to kick-start MEI investments and is adding co-investors across the country who’s dreams and goals align with his own.
JD Martinez, an employee of Zirtue, a startup company and one of the recipients of Smith’s MEI investment during the Inaugural MEI Texas Showcase told D210SPORTS, “ I think we are all put on this Earth to be a servant of our society and community. I believe what the MEI showcase is doing for black founders and the Dallas startup community, is an embodiment of that moral. It is very inspiring to see the work that Jaylon Smith is doing. This model that Jaylon has, allows more than just funding means. I see Jaylon as a capital growth partner and introducer. What he is currently doing in the community, working alongside the companies and achieving growth together, has not been done before. He works hard on-the-field, but I think he works even harder off-the-field.”
The showcase was based on helping small businesses started by minority entrepreneurs get back on their feet during the challenging pandemic crisis. MEI received applications from 147 minority entrepreneurs in 42 Texas cities, and of that group, 10 finalists were chosen by a panel of judges including Jaylon Smith, Torii Hunter, Tom Dowling, and Roland Parrish. MEI awarded five minority-owned businesses, including Zirtue, with an investment of $600,000. Smith created an avenue to help bridge the education and economic gap, providing a pathway for other black men and women entrepreneurs to become successful. He utilizes his resources to help out other people that look like himself with innovative ideas reach their potential.
“ It is an honor to be nominated by the Dallas Cowboys for this prestigious award, “Jaylon Smith stated. “ To be named in the same breath as NFL Legends like Walter Payton for the good work that we, as professional athletes, can use our platform for, is humbling and it only encourages me to work harder to lift up those around me. MEI is my purpose beyond athletics, and I am excited that this award will help fuel our vision.”
As the Cowboys’ nominee, Smith will receive a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal that he will wear during the remainder of the season in recognition of his accomplishments. The 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year will be announced during the NFL honors ceremony, a primetime annual awards special honoring achievements around the league to air the week of Super Bowl LV, on CBS.
All 32 nominees will be highlighted throughout the week for their respective community outreach programs leading up to Super Bowl LV. In addition, all nominees will receive a $40,000 donation in their name to their cause of choice. The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will receive a $250,000 donation to his charity of choice.
