The Kansas City tight end is the first repeat winner of the “Charity Challenge.”
On Wednesday, the NFL announced that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — the team’s 2024 nominee to become the league’s “Walter Payton Man of the Year” — has once again won the “Charity Challenge” social media contest associated with the award, in which fans cast votes on X (formerly Twitter) for their favorite WPMOY candidates.
Congratulations to @tkelce on winning the 2024 Nationwide Charity Challenge!
In recognition of Kelce’s win, @Nationwide has awarded a $35,000 donation to Kelce’s foundation, 87 & Running. #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/ONUWgfsbXh
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2025
Kelce is the first two-time winner in the 10-year history of the “Charity Challenge,” having won it in 2020. At that time, world-famous singer Taylor Swift was simply someone Kelce had heard on the radio. So while we can’t deny that some of Swift’s fans participated in the voting, it wasn’t the only factor.
In addition, previous WPMOY nominees Patrick Mahomes (2022), safety Tyrann Mathieu (2021) and safety Eric Berry (2015) also won the “Charity Challenge” as members of the Chiefs.
For 2024’s “Charity Challenge” victory, the Nationwide Foundation will contribute $35,000 to Kelce’s “87 & Running” charity. The Buffalo Bills’ offensive tackle Dion Dawkins finished second in the voting, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ wide receiver Mike Evans placed third. Their charities will receive $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.
Kelce could be the sixth Chiefs player to win the WPMOY award. Willie Lanier (1972), Len Dawson (1973), Derrick Thomas (1993), Will Shields (2003) and Brian Waters (2009) were the previous honorees. The winner will be announced live during the “NFL Honors” telecast on Thursday, February 6 at 8 p.m. Arrowhead Time on FOX (WDAF/4).