FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons announced Thursday that defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

All 32 NFL teams nominate a player who makes a difference on and off the field, and Jarrett certainly fits that bill. Since he was drafted by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Jarrett has recorded 164 tackles, 27 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks while becoming one of the top defensive tackles in the league.

More importantly, Jarrett embodies the off-the-field spirit of this award.

Jarrett learned of his nomination while providing and serving dinner to the men at Atlanta Mission: Shepherd's Inn on Nov. 14. That is just one of the many ways the Georgia native has given back to his community during his time with the Falcons.

During the offseason, Jarrett was at the forefront of the Falcons' social justice initiative and partnered with organizations such as the At Promise Center and the Thomasville Heights Boys & Girls Club to promote anti-bullying and speaking up about past experiences. As a rookie in 2015, Jarrett started "Big Men Don't Bully," an campaign that educates youth about the harmful effects of bullying.