NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dion Dawkins named Buffalo Bills Club Winner for 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year

Dec 04, 2025 at 09:29 AM

Sydney Ciano

Seasonal writing associate

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Buffalo is home for Dion Dawkins, something the offensive tackle knew his first season with the Bills. It's not just about his work on the field, though. Recognizing his commitment to his community, the Buffalo Bills selected Dawkins as their Club Winner for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

This prestigious honor recognizes an NFL player from one of the 32 clubs for his excellence on and off the field. It marks Dawkins' fourth consecutive year being announced as the Bills' Walter Payton Man of the Year Club Winner.

Since being drafted in 2017, Dawkins became a cornerstone of the Bills. Before the start of the 2025 season, he earned a Top 50 spot on the NFL Network's Top 100 Players at No. 42. Dawkins is also a four-time Pro Bowl selection and won the NFL's Protector of the League Award.

His work off the field doesn't go unnoticed either. In November, Dawkins received a "Key to the City" of Buffalo. Through his foundation, Dion's Dreamers, Dawkins provides mentorship and support to young men and women in underserved communities. He's also a figure in the community for those sustaining mental, financial and/or physical hardship.

"It is an honor to be named the Buffalo Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year Club Winner for the fourth year in a row," Dawkins said. "My work in Buffalo is a reflection of the city itself; we're always willing to help each other out when it is needed. It is a privilege to receive this recognition and know that I will continue to use my platform as a way to shine light on those unseen."

Dawkins emphasizes the importance of being there and present in his community, especially for the children.

His foundation donated $25,000 towards the fifth annual Give 716 Day event and third health and human service fair at MLK Jr. Park. Dawkins helped give away 100 totes of new and gently used clothing, 2,000 free hot meals and 100 cases of water, 270 cases of fruits and vegetables, and free bicycles and helmets for kids.

In April 2025, Dawkins joined former Bills player Latavius Murray in supporting underprivileged children and teens in Syracuse, keeping them off the streets with the help from the Jon Diaz Community Center.

With the Canalside Children's Book Festival, Dawkins donated $2,500 to put together goodie bags with a book, bookmark and snack for all participants there. Supporting students' education further, Dawkins donated 250 backpacks from The Teacher's Desk to Northland Workforce Training Center's Back-to-School event. With his $2,500 donation, the backpacks were filled with essential school supplies. Students also received haircuts at the event to get them ready for the upcoming school year.

He joined Minority Car Association of Western New York for a back-to-school event as well, donating $1,500 towards coats, event supplies and other hygiene products; 500 people were serviced at the event. At another back-to-school event, sponsored by the Momma B Foundation Unity Day, Dawkins contributed $2,000 towards food, beverages, activities and extra school supplies for roughly 60 people at the event.

Dawkins visited the last-chance school he adopted in 2023, The Academy School, to hang out and connect with the students at lunch and in their classes. Students at the school are kids who are in and out of the juvenile justice system — and Dawkins' presence continues being an important part of their lives, knowing someone like him is there for them.

In the Community | Play 60 Charged Up By Wegmans Kickoff

In partnership with Wegmans, the Buffalo Bills visited Churchville Chili Middle School in Rochester, NY in celebration of the start of the 2025-2026 Play 60 Charged Up By Wegmans Program. The event included a pep rally, flag football clinic, and a visit from Bills players Dion Dawkins and Javon Solomon, as well as Bills Legend George Wilson and Billy Buffalo. All participating students received Bills giveaways and healthy snacks from Wegmans. This year's Play 60 initiative for 4th - 8th grade students launched this week in 50 schools throughout Buffalo and Rochester.