Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Solomon Thomas has been selected as the team’s 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, presented by Nationwide.

It’s an honor reserved for players who impact their communities as deeply as they impact the game, and for Thomas, it marks the continuation of a powerful mission that has followed him throughout his career.

This is his fourth nomination overall, after being chosen as the New York Jets’ nominee in 2022, 2023, and 2024, but his first as a member of the Cowboys, with whom he signed a two-year deal during the offseason.

Thomas’s work in the community extends far beyond charity appearances or one-off events.

It is personal, rooted in a story he has been courageous enough to share publicly.

After the tragic loss of his sister Ella in 2018, Thomas and his parents founded The Defensive Line, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth suicide, particularly among young people of color who often face gaps in mental-health support.

Seven years later, Thomas would later experience the same tragedy during the Cowboys’ Week 10 bye when his fellow teammate Marshawn Kneeland, who was battling through mental health issues, tragically passed away from what police ruled a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“You know, this is why mental health is so important. So many people struggle with it around the world and in our country, on football teams, in classrooms, at all ages,” Thomas said in November after speaking to reporters for the first time since the tragic death of Marshawn Kneeland. “If you look at the mental health statistics, they start at the age of nine. Kids are dying by nine to suicide. It’s something our whole nation needs to take seriously. We get on social media and believe everything is just highlights, but that’s not life. Life is about adversity, the hard times, the sad times, the depression, the sadness, the anxiety. These are all parts of the human experience, and we have to let people feel human and be human.”

Through educational programs, outreach efforts, and nationwide partnerships, the organization has become a leading force in suicide prevention and mental-health advocacy.

Using his platform to create change has become a central part of Thomas’s life.

He regularly speaks to youth groups, schools, and community organizations about mental health, hope, and the importance of honest conversations. He has worked closely with national partners such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Text Line to amplify resources for those in crisis and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

His voice is one of the most respected in the league on these issues, not because he seeks attention, but because he consistently shows up for those who feel unseen.

Thomas’ outreach goes far beyond the walls of his nonprofit.

He has served as a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters, supporting a young soccer player and building a relationship that extends well past the program itself. He has hosted free youth football camps that emphasize confidence and emotional well-being as much as skill development. He has donated generously to organizations including the Interfaith Food Network and the Market Street Mission, making sure families in need have access to essential resources.

For the Cowboys, nominating Thomas is as much about who he is as what he does. His empathy, leadership, and willingness to be vulnerable have made him one of the most respected voices in the locker room. He is a reminder that the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is not defined by statistics or accolades, but by impact, by a player’s willingness to use his platform to change lives.

Here is a list of all the nominees for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award which will be announced during the NFL Honors show on Thursday, Feb. 5, just three day prior to Super Bowl LX.