Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee Jonathan Ledbetter says 'it takes a village' to raise kids in need

For Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter, using his platform to benefit the community is passing on what was given to him in his youth.

"My motto is pretty much, 'It takes a village,' and I wanted to be that village for kids that grew up like me, kids that needed guidance, kids that are going to face adversity in life, and I just wanted to be that," Ledbetter said in an interview in December.

Ledbetter's work in his community has led to him being named the Cardinals' nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Ledbetter is one of 32 players vying for the league's most prestigious distinction, the winner of which will be announced during NFL Honors -- the prime-time special that will air nationally on CBS and NFL Network at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 8, just days before Super Bowl LVIII. Each 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee will receive up to $55,000 for his charity of choice, courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide, with the winner getting a $250,000 donation.

"It's just a great honor, it's a blessing -- truthfully -- and I'm extremely, extremely, extremely grateful to be in this position," Ledbetter said. "I can't wait to see what we do with it as we continue to spread awareness for single-family households and ways to empower them and keep them going and give them what they need."

Ledbetter's foundation, Led a Better Way, works to provide for families in the communities of both his home state (Georgia) and his current place of residence (Arizona), with specific focuses on empowering single parents and raising awareness about mental health, both causes of personal significance to the fifth-year pro.

Ledbetter's mother, who raised four children while in the military,