Kenny Moore II is already known to be one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL. Even nine years into his career, he has shown no signs of slowing down; now, in the middle of the 2025 NFL season, he has continued to show his dominance at his position, even with having missed time due to injury.
In the handful of games he's played, Moore has been able to rack up 36 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and a pick-six, and he's been used as a blitzer lately, too — he's one of the league leaders for blitzing at his position, too.
To put it plainly, Moore is known to be a leader on and off the field, which is why he's been named a team captain every year since 2022. It's not much of a surprise to hear that the Colts have a lot of respect for Moore. After all, who wouldn't? And fans will likely agree with the Colts when they hear he's been nominated by the team for the league's most prestigious individual award... again.
Colts again choose Kenny Moore II to represent them in the race for one of the NFL’s top honors
The Colts have announced that, for the second consecutive year and the third time overall, Kenny Moore II is their nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Zaire Franklin is another recent Colts nominee, having been given the nod in 2023, but Moore was their choice for the 2024 season and again this year.
In the press release, Moore was lauded not only for his prowess on the field but for his passion off the field. Moore launched his Love One Foundation in 2022, with a focus on youth football camps, educational leadership, mental health, and more.
Additionally, Moore visits students at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis every week, serving as a hands-on mentor, and was a speaker at this year's Indiana Principals' Convention. He has also been heavily involved in fighting pediatric cancer, and as a supporter of Jim Irsay's Kicking the Stigma initiative.
In his comments after being nominated, Moore accepted the honor, but also vowed to continue working to support his community, no matter the outcome. “I got a huge commitment to the community," he said. "That’ll never waver. But it’s an honor to represent this organization, as well as this city, in this space.”
Colts owner Kalen Jackson said it has been an honor to see him grow through his years in Indianapolis. "He really had a dedication and passion to impact his community and impact his team," she said, adding, "When you are in the community and you are asking little kids what celebration dance you should do if you make a big play on the field, and then you go into the game that Sunday, you make that big play, and you keep your promise to that little kid, is exactly what this is all about."
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is considered the NFL's highest honor for an individual player, to recognize "NFL players who have exhibited excellence on the field, and whose passion to impact lives extends beyond the game.”
All 32 nominees will receive up to $40,000 donated to the charity of their choice, with the winner receiving a $250,000 donation. Through the rest of the season, Moore will have a trophy decal on his helmet to show his nomination, though Colts fans will undoubtedly agree that he deserves to take home the title in February.