Glover is the Rams’ Walter Payton Man of the Year
St. Louis head coach Scott Linehan announced that La’Roi Glover has been selected as
the Rams’ Walter Payton Man of the Year. La’Roi will now go on to compete with the other 31 team’s
representatives for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is a prestigious honor recognizing a player for his community
service as well as his on-the-field performance. Each NFL team has the opportunity to nominate the player
who they feel best exemplifies the philanthropic spirit of the Hall of Fame running back, Walter
Payton. The nominees from all 32 teams then compete against each other for the national award, which will
be announced prior to the Super Bowl.
Six-time Pro Bowler La’Roi Glover is the heart and soul of the Rams defensive line. Signed by the team in
2006, he was immediately named a team captain, an honor he also earned for the 2007 season.
La’Roi’s not only a leader on the field, but also leads by example through his action in the community. This
year, he turned his attention to assisting Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Eastern Missouri in an effort
designed to put thousands of area boys and girls in contact with much needed mentors. He not only
became a Big Brother himself, but also purchased a suite to host other mentors and their “littles” at every
Rams home game. He also lent his name and efforts to the “Tackle the Issues” campaign designed to bolster
volunteer recruitment. His efforts are in support of the BBBS recently launched Urban Expansion Project
aimed at eliminating the Big Brothers Big Sisters 500-child waiting list, which is mainly comprised of
African-American children, with 80 percent being African-American boys. In December, La’Roi is hosting 100
BBBS children at the Rams’ practice facility where he’ll give them a tour, provide them with $100 gift cards
and take them on a holiday shopping spree.
Since coming to St. Louis, La’Roi’s served as the event captain for Taste of the NFL-St. Louis, a tasting
extravaganza that benefits the St. Louis Foodbank and the St. Louis Sports Commission. As an eight-year
veteran of the Super Bowl’s Taste of the NFL, he’s brought his national expertise to the local event and
actively recruits fellow teammates to join in the fundraising effort.
He’s also participated in Bowl-a-RAM-a, a bowling event that benefits the Epilepsy Foundation, as well as
the Make-A-Wish Celebrity Server Dinner, where Rams players assist in Make-A-Wish’s fundraising efforts by
“working” as celebrity servers.
In August of 1999, Glover announced the establishment of The La’Roi Glover Foundation. As part of
the Foundation’s efforts, La’Roi’s been awarding two $5,000 college scholarships to Point Loma High
School graduates, La’Roi’s alma mater, since 2000. He personally reviews each essay and selects one
boy and one girl to receive the scholarships based on community involvement, creativity, athletic involvement
and obstacles they have overcome. To date, the Foundation has awarded 16 scholarships to deserving
students and is looking to expand the scholarship program to St. Louis as well.
For the past six years, La’Roi’s also served as the host of the Martin Bayless/La’Roi Glover Football camp, a
free camp that serves approximately 2,500 kids per year. He attended this camp as a high school student
athlete and vowed if he ever made it in to the NFL, he would come back and support the effort.
Recent winners of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award have included Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson. Past winners include many of the
league’s greatest players, 13 of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The NFL Man of the Year’s designated charity receives a $25,000 donation in his name. Charities selected by
the other 31 team finalists each receive a $1,000 donation.
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