Detroit Lions DL DJ Reader has been selected as the team’s 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee for his outstanding community service, kidney health advocacy, and youth support initiatives. Discover his impact, foundation work, and how fans can vote in the Charity Challenge.
Detroit Lions’ DJ Reader Named 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee for Inspiring Community Leadership
The Detroit Lions have officially announced defensive lineman DJ Reader as their 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee, an honor widely regarded as the most prestigious recognition in professional football. Presented by Nationwide, the award celebrates players who not only excel on the field but also show extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of others. For Reader—now in his 10th NFL season and second year in Detroit—the nomination highlights a decade of consistent, heartfelt community service grounded in family values and a passion for helping those in need.
A Legacy of Giving That Started at Home
Reader’s dedication to philanthropy didn’t begin with football—it began with his family. He credits his parents, particularly his father, David Reader, for modeling what it means to show up for others. His father, a teacher who passed away in 2014 from kidney disease, inspired DJ to understand the importance of investing in his community.
“The work I’ve been able to do has been a blessing,” Reader said. “When you’re there, showing your face and being around, you inspire people. My mom and dad always made sure I pour into the community that poured into me.”
Those personal values are reflected in every initiative Reader leads. Whether supporting health care access, mentoring youth, addressing food insecurity, or helping students discover a love for reading, Reader’s approach is hands-on, intentional, and deeply personal.
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A Son Never Forgets: A Foundation with Purpose
Much of Reader’s impact is delivered through his foundation, A Son Never Forgets, an organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness through community-based programs and education. Through this platform, he has launched and maintained several large-scale initiatives:
Annual Football Skills & Drills Camp in North Carolina
Free health screenings and wellness events for underserved communities
Six public reading rooms established between North Carolina and Cincinnati
Grants for youth athletic programs, covering equipment, facility upgrades, and competition expenses
What makes Reader’s foundation stand out is its focus on sustainability. Rather than single-day events, many of his contributions create resources that continue to support communities long after he leaves.
Honoring His Father Through Kidney Advocacy
Reader’s most personal philanthropic work centers on kidney health awareness. After his father’s passing, he devoted himself to advancing kidney disease research and support.
Since 2016, he has awarded annual scholarships to students from Greensboro, North Carolina, through a memorial fund named for his father. In 2019, he took his efforts even further by hosting the National Kidney Foundation Charity Walk in Houston, helping raise an impressive $75,000—three times the city’s previous average. His golf tournament that same year raised more than $100,000 for kidney research and awareness.
His unwavering support for the National Kidney Foundation reflects not just a mission, but a tribute to the man who helped shape him.
Bringing His Heart to Detroit
When Reader signed with the Lions in 2024, he didn’t waste any time becoming a meaningful presence in the community. Within months of arriving, he launched:
A back-to-school drive, complete with school supplies and free dental screenings
A Thanksgiving turkey drive, aligning with a cherished Lions holiday tradition
These events not only provided essential support but also helped Reader connect deeply with Detroit families. His approachable demeanor and commitment to service quickly made him a fan favorite both on and off the field.
A Veteran Leader with a Clear Purpose
This isn’t Reader’s first recognition for community impact. He was a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2019 with the Houston Texans and received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award in 2022—a prestigious honor reflecting more than 4,000 hours of community work.
Now, as Detroit’s 2025 nominee, Reader continues to embody what the Walter Payton Award stands for: leadership, compassion, and a selfless drive to lift others.
What’s Next: Super Bowl Week Honors and Fan Participation
All 32 team nominees will be recognized during the lead-up to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area. The national winner will be revealed at NFL Honors on February 5, 2026, during the league’s annual awards ceremony.
In addition to recognition, each nominee’s associated charity will receive a $40,000 donation from the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation. The national winner’s charity will receive a $250,000 donation.
Fans can play a direct role in supporting their favorite nominee through Nationwide’s annual Charity Challenge. Voting takes place on X/Twitter using the hashtag #WPMOYChallenge along with the player’s last name or handle. Fans can also vote at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The charity of the player with the most combined votes will receive an extra $35,000, with $10,000 and $5,000 going to the runner-up and third-place finishers.
Voting runs from December 4, 2025, through January 5, 2026.
A Badge of Honor on the Field
Beginning Week 14 and continuing throughout the season, all nominees—including DJ Reader—will wear the special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal. It is a symbol of leadership, community, and excellence—something Reader has exemplified across every city he has played in.
Final Thoughts
DJ Reader’s nomination is more than a title; it is a reflection of years of meaningful work shaped by family, purpose, and a genuine desire to uplift others. Whether supporting kidney health, empowering youth, or giving back to Detroit, Reader consistently shows why the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award remains one of the NFL’s most important honors.
As Detroit celebrates its newest nominee, one thing is certain: DJ Reader’s impact reaches far beyond football—and his work will continue to change lives for years to come.
