HOUSTON – Today, the Houston Texans announced that LB Azeez Al-Shaair is the team's Club Winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Regarded as the league's most prestigious honor, the award recognizes players who excel on the field and show exceptional dedication to uplifting their communities with consistent, positive impact.
"Azeez represents everything it means to be a Houston Texan," Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair said. "His leadership and generosity shine in everything he does, whether he's elevating our defense on the field or investing his time and heart into others off the field. Azeez makes our team and our community better, and we're incredibly proud to recognize him as our Walter Payton Man of the Year."
Al-Shaair's passion for giving back is shaped by his childhood experiences, including the period when his family was homeless after a fire destroyed their home in Tampa, Florida. Even in their most difficult moments, he remembers his mother continuing to care for others, instilling in him the importance of empathy and perspective.
From the moment he arrived in Houston, Al-Shaair immersed himself in serving the local community. Now a captain for the second consecutive year, he has spent time this season with United Way, an organization that helped him and his family when he was young. He also visited Covenant House with Special Teams Coordinator Frank Ross and his teammates to provide support and free haircuts to homeless youth and adults, recognized local firefighters on National First Responders Day, celebrated the Texans' Girls Flag Football Program's Houston champions and more.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair has been named the team's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Club Winner. Check out the best photos of Al-Shaair when he was surprised with the news.
Al-Shaair also serves as a sponsor in the Houston Texans Community Huddle Ticket Program, which gives people who may not otherwise have a chance to attend an NFL game the opportunity to have a unique and special gameday experience. Every Texans home game, students from HYPE Freedom School and Muslim Organization of Sports, Socials, and Education (MOSSE) are treated to tickets, food vouchers and parking passes thanks to his generosity. Most recently, Al-Shaair hosted a movie night at NRG Stadium for students from HYPE Freedom School, a nonprofit that provides youth development services that enhance learning opportunities outside of school time for children who need support.
"It means everything to me because when I see these kids, I just see myself," Al-Shaair said. "As a kid, I always wished I had the opportunity to meet an NFL player to be inspired by. I went through the same highs and lows to get to where I am today, but I'm here because of all the hard work and things I endured to get here. I just want to give people hope."
As a Club Winner, Al-Shaair will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal beginning this week through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.
Fans are encouraged to participate in the annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows them to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Club Winner. Fans can vote for Al-Shaair on X by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with his last name or by voting directly at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The nominee who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will receive an additional $35,000 donation to the charity of their choice. Charity Challenge voting starts today and is open until Jan. 5, 2026.
For more information on the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, visit www.NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair announced as Houston Texans Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Club Winner. Check out photos of Al-Shaair on and off the field.
A May 1st, 2024 image from the Girls Flag Surprise Cleat Donation at Worthing High School in Houston, TX.
A May 20th, 2024 image from the Scholarships for Champions at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A June 3rd, 2024 image from the Media Day Focus Gray at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A July 26th, 2024 image from the Training Camp Practice 7 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game versus the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 15th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 2 game versus the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 22nd, 2024 image from the regular season week 3 game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.
An image from the Oct. 3, 2024 Founder's Day event at Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, TX.
An image from the October 6th, 2024 Week 5 home game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans won 23-20.
An image from the November 10th, 2024 Week 10 home game against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 23-26.
An image from the November 24th, 2024 Week 12 home game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 27-32.
An image from the November 26th, 2024 Kroger Turkey Time Event at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the January 5th, 2025 Regular Season Week 18 game versus the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. The Texans won 23-14.
An image from the January 11th, 2025 Playoffs Wildcard game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans won 32-12.
An image from the May 17th, 2025 Girls Flag Championship at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, TX.
An image from the June 5th, 2025 Coach's Cuts at the Covenant House in Houston, TX.
An image from the June 9th, 2025 Media Day Battle Red Set at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the June 9th, 2025 Media Day Diamond Set Photoshoot at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the June 9th, 2025 Media Day Diamond Set Photoshoot at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the July 25th, 2025 Training Camp Practice 3 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the July 29th, 2025 Training Camp Practice 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the September 15th, 2025 regular season week 2 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 19-20.
An image from the September 15th, 2025 regular season week 2 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 19-20.
An image from the September 15th, 2025 regular season week 2 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 19-20.
An image from the September 15th, 2025 regular season week 2 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 19-20.
An image from the Oct. 28, 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee surprise for Azeez Al-Shaair at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Oct. 28, 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee surprise for Azeez Al-Shaair at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Oct. 28, 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee surprise for Azeez Al-Shaair at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Oct. 28, 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee surprise for Azeez Al-Shaair at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Oct. 28, 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee surprise for Azeez Al-Shaair at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Oct. 28, 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee surprise for Azeez Al-Shaair at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Oct. 28, 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee surprise for Azeez Al-Shaair at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the October 28th, 2025 Chevron First Responders Event at the Fire Station in Houston, TX.
An image from the October 28th, 2025 Chevron First Responders Event at the Fire Station in Houston, TX.
An image from the November 2nd, 2025 regular season week 9 home game against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 15-18.
An image from the November 2nd, 2025 regular season week 9 home game against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 15-18.
An image from the November 2nd, 2025 regular season week 9 home game against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 15-18.
An image from the November 20th, 2025 regular season week 12 home game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans won 23-19.
An image from the November 25th, 2025 Turkey Time with Kroger at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
