Former Los Angeles Rams running back Steven Jackson shared a special moment with current Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams on Thursday.
Williams was the Rams’ team nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Jackson, who was a nominee during his time with the then-St. Louis Rams, appeared at a team meeting to present the award to the St. Louis native, who grew up watching Jackson play. Jackson also presented him with a pair of gold cleats, an emotional moment for Williams.
“Meant a lot to be able to do this for @RamsNFL Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee @Kyrenwilliams23,” Jackson captioned a video posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Who could’ve seen this coming years ago when we met?
“Keep being a light in the world, young man. Proud of you and glad you finally got those gold cleats!”
In the video, Rams head coach Sean McVay introduced Jackson to the Rams players. Williams can be seen on camera smiling and laughing.
“For three hours every week during the season, you allow people to forget what they’re going through, and you give them inspiration,” Jackson said. “One of our brothers here has done that.”
Jackson then explained his charity program. During one of his events in St. Louis, he met and took a photo with a young Kyren Williams. That photo was behind him on the projector screen while he spoke.
“I did not know he would become a Ram, and on his way to being a great,” said Jackson.
“Our buddy here is the Walter Payton Rams’ nominee for this season,” Jackson announced. His teammates clapped for Williams while a graphic was shown on the screen. “It’s special,” Jackson continued, “because all of us can make an impact in someone’s life. Kyren, you’ve done that.”
“I pray that you all get to lift that Lombardi Trophy one day. But if you don’t, be a champion in somebody else’s eye. Because you never know who might be the next Mr. Williams.”
Jackson then presented Williams with a pair of gold cleats. Williams explained that when he was young and sitting in the stands at a Rams game, Jackson threw his cleats into the stands and another fan took the cleats. “My mom’s going to cry when she sees these,” said Williams.
Williams has performed extensive charity work in the Los Angeles area since being drafted in 2022. He supported local school district initiatives and outreach events at juvenile correctional facilities. He also participated in the Rams’ Salute to Service and Season of Giving campaigns.
In 2024, Williams gave custom wheelchairs, helmets, and jerseys to the L.A. Rams Wheelchair Football Team, and held a dual football/soccer clinic with Arsenal Los Angeles. He served as captain for Walk United LA, which raised over $1 million for United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and as an event captain for L.A. Rams Night for Wishes, which raised over $750,000 to grant wishes for local children with life-threatening illnesses.
He joined the Think Watts Foundation to donate washers and dryers to 20 local schools so that students could wear clean clothes to school, and participated in a recycling combine with the Ball Corporation. He also joined the Thanksgiving meal at the Covenant House and helped unveil a turf football field in the Watts neighborhood.
“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is the league’s most revered honor, recognizing players who excel on the field and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game,” the NFL said in a press release announcing the nominees from all 32 teams.
The nominees are:
Arizona Cardinals: TE Trey McBride
Atlanta Falcons: DT Grady Jarrett
Baltimore Ravens: LB Roquan Smith
Buffalo Bills: OT Dion Dawkins
Carolina Panthers: WR Adam Thielen
Chicago Bears: DT Andrew Billings
Cincinnati Bengals: OT Orlando Brown Jr.
Cleveland Browns: CB Denzel Ward
Dallas Cowboys: OG Zack Martin
Denver Broncos: LB Alex Singleton
Detroit Lions: QB Jared Goff
Green Bay Packers: DT Kenny Clark
Houston Texans: S Jalen Pitre
Indianapolis Colts: CB Kenny Moore II
Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Arik Armstead
Kansas City Chiefs: TE Travis Kelce
Las Vegas Raiders: DE Maxx Crosby
Los Angeles Chargers: K Cameron Dicker
Los Angeles Rams: RB Kyren Williams
Miami Dolphins: FB Alec Ingold
Minnesota Vikings: FB C.J. Ham
New England Patriots: DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
New Orleans Saints: DE Cameron Jordan
New York Giants: WR Darius Slayton
New York Jets: DT Solomon Thomas
Philadelphia Eagles: DE Brandon Graham
Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Larry Ogunjobi
San Francisco 49ers: LB Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks: LB Uchenna Nwosu
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans
Tennessee Titans: DT Jeffery Simmons
Washington Commanders: LB Bobby Wagner
