Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee - Luke Wypler

by MikeDzK | 2 years ago | 0 Comments

Offensive lineman Luke Wypler has been chosen as the Bills nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton Man oif the Year Award. 

The Man of the Year Award, named after the late Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back, Walter Payton, recognizes players for their dedication to the community and their play on the field. One player from all 32 teams, who has a positive impact on his community, is selected as a nominee and will receive up to $40,000 donated to the charity of their choice.
 

In the NFL, it's often said that some things are bigger than football. For Luke Wypler, that could not be more true.
Luke has been active in charity work since his highschool football days. Born and raised on the border of New York in Montvale, New Jersey, Luke volunteered at Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center. Luke stated "I didn't really know how to help at first, because I didn't really have any money, so I just showed up and did a little of everything to help out." According to staff there, Luke would come in and talk to the children, be a big brother to them, and even whip up snacks for everyone; "He was a ray of sunshine in their cloudy world."

But Luke hasn't stopped there. While playing at Ohio State, where he was a 2 year starter as a Center for the Buckeyes, he continued his charitable streak by helping out the local children's hospital. In fact, Wypler donated his entire NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) check to Nationwide Children's Hospital. 

As posted in the Columbus Dispatch: "I read a comment from you, that one reason you are really a fan of what the NCAA has ruled in terms of NIL is that it will allow you to contribute to Columbus charities. Which charities are important to you?"

"One of the ones I really want to (support) is Nationwide Children's Hospital here in Columbus. I know that's a really big one and a common one for most people, but I think that offers so much help for kids, and most of them are Buckeye fans. We see a lot of them come through the facility a lot to hang out with us. So that's one I really want to give back to. And a few of the local food banks where we've helped out in the past, I'd really like to give back to them."

 

As a member of an Elite Buffalo Bills roster which saw them achieve their first Super Bowl appearance in nearly 30 years, Luke Wypler gave up only 3 sacks in nearly 700 snaps as a rookie. Luke won the starting job during preseason and went on to be a dominant interior lineman for an electrifying Buffalo offense. The entire offensive unit in 2023 was as dominant on the field as they are charitable off of it.

Last year's Walter Payton nominee for the Bills was Left Tackle Dion Dawkins. When asked about Luke, Dion had this to say, "Luke is amazingly kind and active within this community. We all have charity work we do through the NFL, and even some for our own foundations, but Luke is always doing something every single day. Luke visits the Children's Hospital every single week, even during the season. He loves those kids. He's inspiring. Anyone can donate money, but Luke donates more than that, Luke donates his time and he puts his entire soul into it."

Luke Wypler donated nearly his entire rookie signing bonus of $1.04M to Oishei's Childrens Hospital of Buffalo after being drafted by the Bills in 2023. 

Luke may be young and may also be new to the Buffalo area, but he's no stranger to good will, and the city has embraced his big and lovable personality as well as his generosity.