Devin McCourty has been nominated for a fourth time.
The New England Patriots announced McCourty, the longtime captain, was the organization’s nominee for the 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. McCourty has been nominated three times prior — 2014, 2015 and 2018 — but has yet to claim the league-wide honor.
The award “recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.”
McCourty expressed how much the nomination meant to him during a conference call with reporters Wednesday.
“It’s a great honor,” McCourty said. “I’ve said it before, anytime I get recognized I truly feel like I represent every guy in this locker room who’s name could’ve been recommended for the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
“This team is full of great guys who care a lot of about other people and, I would say, care more about their families and loved ones than they care about themselves. I’ve just tried to follow that.”
Kyle Van Noy, who left New England and signed with the Miami Dolphins this offseason, was the Patriots nominee in 2019, but Calais Campbell won the award.
McCourty is a member of the Players Coalition Task Force and serves as the Chair of the Players Coalition Education and Economic Advancement Committee. He’s advocated for several bills that successfully passed legislation in Massachusetts including “An Act Relative to Criminal Justice Reform” and the Student Opportunity Act. Additionally, Devin and his twin brother, Jason McCourty, have raised more than $2 million through the “McCourty Twins Tackle Sickle Cell” campaign.
“I try to be an example for guys who first come into the league of how you can have a huge impact off the field and on the field,” McCourty said. “For me, I’m going to continue to try to do that.
“My mom has done an awesome job with all my brothers of instilling in us how to give back, how to make a difference. Everything I do is to try and make her proud,” McCourty continued. “It’s been awesome to be here in New England be a part of the community and represent so many great people and the organization. Just to be nominated is awesome. Whatever happens from there, happens.”
Hopefully, the fourth time will be the charm for McCourty, as he wants to make sure other Patriots are recognized in the years to come.
“… But I did tell Mr. Kraft this is the last time, after this, no more nominations, it has to go to somebody else,” McCourty said.
McCourty and the Patriots will travel to the Dolphins for a Week 15 game on Sunday.
