JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Jaguars announced today P Logan Cooke as its club winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide. The award is the league's most prestigious honor, recognizing NFL players who have exhibited excellence on the field and whose passion to impact lives extends beyond the game.
Cooke, Jacksonville's longest-tenured player, has consistently served those in need during his eight-year NFL career not only in Northeast Florida or his home state of Mississippi, but worldwide. In 2021, Cooke and his wife, Mary, founded the Logan Cooke Foundation to make a bigger impact.
Cooke has recently focused on combatting the global water crisis through clean water projects in East Africa. This season, Cooke is punting for clean water through his foundation in partnership with Zoe Ministries, a nonprofit which has provided clean and safe water access to over 200,000 people since 2017. For every punt pinned inside the 20-yard line, he donates $1,000 through to help bring safe, life-changing water to families in Kenya. With millions in East Africa still lacking access to clean water, the campaign's goal was to raise $20,000 for clean water projects. With five games left to play in the regular season, Cooke has already raised over $25,000 from his on-field based donations and community support.
Since being drafted by the Jaguars in 2018, he has been active in the Jacksonville community, participating in a variety of events on his own and through the Jaguars Foundation. Cooke has consistently participated in team events such as Literacy Locker Rooms, Military Base, Hospital and Make-A-Wish visits as well as the annual Ronald McDonald House Holiday Party. He has cast a wide net in his philanthropic efforts championing an array of causes including youth and military support, clean water access, cancer awareness and more.
Cooke has a strong connection with the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation and their mission to be there for families battling childhood cancer. In September, Cooke joined the Jay Fund and Peoples Gas for a Pizza Cookoff. He and some of his teammates hosted pediatric cancer patients at the Miller Electric Center for a morning full of cooking and fun before enjoying the pizzas they made together. He has also joined the Jay Fund in visiting patients and families at Wolfson Children's Hospital where they enjoyed activities like playing catch and making arts and crafts.
Cooke said, "I am incredibly honored to be nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year. Walter Payton and I are from the same hometown, so this is very special to me. Being a Jacksonville Jaguar means so much more than just performing on the field. To be considered for such a prestigious award would not be possible without the unwavering support from my wife, Mary Menger, my family, my teammates and the Jaguars organization. Our goal is to leave an impact on Jacksonville that will last for years to come."
"I couldn't be prouder of Logan. He deserves recognition for everything he brings to this team on the field, in the locker room and in our community. As a captain, Logan is a proven leader. I have been impressed with his commitment to this organization and city since day one," added Jaguars' Head Coach Liam Coen. "He embodies what it means to be a Jacksonville Jaguar. We are fortunate to have him. Logan is truly worthy of this honor, and we are proud to support his nomination for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year."
Cooke, a two-time All Pro and 2025 Pro Bowler, has played 124 games and punted 512 times for 22,231 net yards (43.3 avg.) with 211 punts placed inside the 20-yard line. Cooke's 91 punts placed inside the 10-yard line and his 43.3 net punt average lead the NFL since his rookie year in 2018.
Cooke will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field beginning this week when the Jaguars host the Indianapolis Colts.
All 32 club winners will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX. The 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
Each club winner will receive up to a $40,000 donation, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award winner will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice. All donations are made possible by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year club winner. Fans can vote on X by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the name/X handle of their chosen club winner or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The club winner who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide to the charity of their choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000. Charity Challenge voting takes place from Dec. 4, 2025-Jan. 5, 2026.
