Will Gholston Named Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award Presented by Nationwide

The 32 nominees for this year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award have been announced. For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive lineman Will Gholston is this year’s representative for serving as a catalyst in the local community. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide – deemed the NFL’s most prestigious honor, recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. Personifying the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy is Gholston.

“The platform that we have been given, Will has taken advantage of that,” Lavonte David stated. “That is what his legacy will be stamped as, just a guy who gave back and who used his gifts that God gave him to be able to pour his heart back out into the community.”

Gholston was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft (126th overall) and has been a cornerstone of the Bucs’ defense for 10 seasons. He was a starter for the defense that led the Buccaneers to victory in Super Bowl LV, holding Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to nine points in 2020. Gholston is the second longest tenured Buccaneer on the roster, trailing only All-Pro inside linebacker Lavonte David. Gholston played in all 16 games with eight starts in 2019, establishing himself as a key contributor for the NFL’s top-ranked rush defense. As a stout strongside run defender, Gholston attacks the backfield with power and quickness. As a pass rusher, Gholston is adept at shooting the gap and utilizes his upper-body strength to disengage from guards.

Gholston embodies what it means to be an NFL player, both on and off the field. As a mainstay of the Buccaneers defense for a decade, his dedication to his teammates and the Tampa Bay community continues to set him apart. Throughout his NFL tenure, Gholston has provided resources to those in need, getting involved in numerous charitable causes to enact change. His humble demeanor has garnered the respect of everyone within the Bucs’ organization. Gholston’s advocacy for cancer research and childhood hunger have fostered growth in the community. His exemplifies a servant’s heart, earning a place among this year’s nominees for the esteemed Walter Payton Man of the Year accolade.

“A guy that comes in everyday, does the right thing and does it at a high level,” Rakeem Nuñez-Roches described. “[He] is the definition of a leader.”

Since his rookie year in 2013, Gholston has…