Grant Delpit, the safety for the Cleveland Browns, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions both on and off the field by being named the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year on December 4, 2025. This prestigious honor places him among the finalists for the league-wide award, which will be revealed during Super Bowl LX week.
In a statement, Delpit expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you to the Browns organization for honoring me for such an award. Pouring back into the communities that shaped me helps me realize that we are stronger together. The impact is greater when you can bring multiple people to the table.” He emphasized the significance of the award for him and his family, adding, “I’m looking forward to keep inspiring and making a positive impact wherever I can.”
Delpit’s On-Field Performance
Since being drafted in the second round in 2020, Delpit has become an integral part of the Browns’ defense. After recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon during his rookie training camp, he has consistently demonstrated his value as a starter and leader, particularly under the direction of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who joined the team in 2023. Delpit signed a $36 million extension for three years that same year. In the current season, he has recorded 51 tackles, one sack, one interception, four passes defensed, and one fumble recovery.
Community Engagement and Philanthropy
Delpit’s impact extends beyond the football field. He has significantly increased his community involvement over the years, founding the GD Express Foundation and collaborating with Browns Give Back. He plays an active role as an ambassador for the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, helping fund annual back-to-school events and organizing toy drives for children and families in need.
This year, Delpit has been particularly active in responding to community crises. He organized a Halloween fashion show that benefited children battling cancer, and he is set to host a Breakfast with Santa event at the Garden Valley Apartment complex, which recently suffered a devastating fire and explosion, displacing 120 people. Additionally, he will continue his tradition of hosting a Christmas event on December 25.
Delpit’s commitment to his hometown of New Orleans is also notable, as he works to support causes close to his heart, especially given his family’s displacement by Hurricane Katrina when he was a child. At this year’s Super Bowl, he hosted a football skills camp for high school athletes, culminating in a celebrity 7-on-7 tournament.
The Cleveland Browns’ Managing Partners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, praised Delpit’s leadership, stating, “Grant has really stepped up into his role as a leader on the team and in the community since we drafted him in 2020, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to nominate him as the 2025 Cleveland Browns Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.” They highlighted his initiatives as exemplifying the spirit of Walter Payton, noting his significant impact off the field and sportsmanship on it.
All 32 club winners will be celebrated in the lead-up to Super Bowl LX, with the national award recipient announced during the NFL Honors, a primetime special airing on February 5, 2026. Fans can support their favorite nominees through the Nationwide Charity Challenge, which allows them to vote for their chosen players on social media and NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The player receiving the most votes will secure an additional $35,000 donation for their charitable beneficiary.
Beginning Week 14, Delpit and the other club winners will don special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decals, acknowledging their accomplishments in both sports and community service.
