NFL Man of the Year Nominees | Bears | NFL.com

Andrew Billings

CHICAGO BEARS

EXCELLENCE ON THE FIELD

Since joining the Bears in 2023, Billings has started all 25 appearances, leading Chicago's defensive front. Over his seven professional seasons, Billings has totaled 160 tackles (88 solo), including 22 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits and one forced fumble. The veteran defensive tackle has had stops at Cincinnati, Miami, Kansas City, and Las Vegas. He attended Waco (Texas) High School and earned Class 4A all-state honors as a senior. Billings played three seasons at Baylor, seeing action in 36 games.

POSITIVE CHARACTER & A LIFESTYLE OF GIVING BACK

Andrew Billings has used his platform to give back and inspire youth since 2016. He exemplifies consistency in positive character both on and off the field. His commitment to teamwork and sportsmanship has made him a respected figure among his teammates. Billings approaches each game with unwavering dedication, highlighting not only his athletic skills but also his integrity. His ability to maintain a positive attitude, even during challenging moments, inspires his teammates and fosters a

culture of resilience within the locker room. Beyond his contributions on the field, Billings actively models a lifestyle of giving back to the community. He engages in various charitable initiatives, emphasizing the importance of making a difference in the lives of others. Whether it is through hosting youth football camps, speaking and inspiring male youth through mentorships, participating in his bikes and books drives initiatives, or supporting educational programs, Billings demonstrates a genuine commitment to uplifting those around him. His actions serve as a powerful reminder that NFL players can be role models, using their platforms to inspire and impact their communities positively. By consistently embodying these values, Andrew Billings not only enhances his legacy as a player, but also as a leader and philanthropist.

DEDICATION & COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY EFFORTS

THIS YEAR

Andrew Billings is committed to volunteering and giving back to youth in his hometown of Waco, Texas. As the founder of The Billings Family Find-A-Way Foundation, established in 2017, he has made a profound impact on local youth through ongoing initiatives and events aimed at empowering young people. His passion for making a difference resonates deeply in Waco, as he strives to create a legacy that encourages youth to pursue their dreams while giving them the tools they need to succeed.Last year, his efforts earned him recognition as the NFLPA Week 14 Community MVP runner-up. This year, Andrew arranged his Bikes and Books: Riding for Perfect Attendance Initiative. This marked the third school year that Andrew championed this initiative, which aims to promote perfect attendance at two elementary schools. Two names from each grade are drawn and winners receive a bike, helmet, and bike safety book. It also features a "Book Giveaway" component that promotes reading and helps students build their personal libraries. Each year, Andrew purchases 72 bikes—around $10,000—and donates $1,000 to each school to buy books for students. He attends each school, gives a speech, gifts, and pizza party. Andrew also hosted his annual Andrew Billings Youth Football Camp, a free youth football camp at Waco ISD Stadium that attracted over 131 boys and girls. It was a valuable opportunity for young athletes to receive hands-on training, while the American Lung Association shared information on lung health and provided information to parents. Andrew contributed $5,000 to the football camp and raised another $5,000 in sponsorship funds. This year, Andrew donated $2,000 to the youth football program to help with equipment, uniforms, and registration fees. He has been donating annually since 2017. Waco Southern Youth Football is a football and cheer program that serves youth from underprivileged neighborhoods in Waco, Texas. They are a non-profit organization that ensures that youth can participate in football-related activities regardless of family income. It aims to provide access to youth in neighborhoods where many single parent families reside, thereby providing easier neighborhood access to the programs. In addition, Billings supports the Professional Male Mentor Association (PMMA), which assists male minority students from the Waco Independent School district who struggle with the transition from high school to college because of limited family resources and the lack of supportive men in their lives. The goal of this program is to reduce the number male high school seniors who drop out during their first year of college. Andrew donated $2,500 to support the mission and provide scholarships. In 2024, Andrew also participated in the Waco Independent School District Annual Men's Empowerment Summit at Baylor University, where he served as the keynote speaker and partnered with other professional men. Over 100 Waco ISD middle and high school male students learned about financial literacy, job and life skills, and how to treat others. Andrew shared insights and gave each young man attending their own tie, symbolizing the importance of empowerment and professionalism. During Andrew's high school career, he set the powerlifting record in Texas. For the past three years, he has hosted and sponsored an annual Powerlifting meet (Andrew Billings Invitational) in Waco, Texas for both boys and girls powerlifting teams. The 2024 powerlifting meet hosted 21 schools and 250 powerlifters. Andrew has hosted the event annually and donated $2,000 each year to fund the meet, in addition to attending as a speaker to encourage and motivate the young powerlifters. Finally, The Billings Family Find-A-Way Foundation formed a team to participate in the Dallas American Lung Association (ALA) Fight for Air Climb to raise awareness and money for lung disease research, education, and advocacy. At the event, Andrew shared why he supports the ALA, how childhood asthma impacted his life, and how the American Lung Association programs helped him when he was a child. He served as a sponsor of the event and provided funds to purchase water and Gatorade. His foundation's team was awarded the prize for 2024 ALA Fight for Air top fundraiser. At Andrew's 2024 youth football camp, Andrew was presented with a medal recognizing him as the ALA 2024 Ambassador.

IN YEARS PAST

Billings launched Bikes and Books: Riding for Perfect Attendance in 2022, donating over $30,000, providing 144 bikes, 144 helmets, and 144 bike safety books to J. H. Hines and Provident Heights Elementary Schools, and $6,000 for books. Courtney Whitaker, Provident Heights principal, said, "The program has had a significant impact on attendance and morale. The incentive of earning a bicycle has helped increase our school-wide attendance rate. Our [prior] rate was approximately 92%. After, it increased to 93.91%. This is significant, as more students in school means more learning is occurring. This year attendance has continued to climb. Our current rate is around 95%." Dr. Cynthia Wise, J.H. Hines principal, said, "Our perfect attendance for six weeks more than doubled since partnering with the Foundation! These scholars won bikes for perfect attendance." In 2023, The Billings Family Find-A-Way Foundation was selected as the most Outstanding Foundation of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central Texas Chapter, for the Bikes and Books initiative. Since 2021, Billings has served as an ambassador for the American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb and organized a fundraising team. In 2023 and 2024 he also donated funds for water and Gatorade. In 2023, the Foundation set up activity stations and Billings served as a guest speaker in 2022 and 2024. Billings has supported The Professional Male Mentor Association since 2017 with annual donations between $2,000 and $2,500 for mentoring and college scholarships. Billings has also written grants and secured additional support through the NFL Foundation Players Matching Grant in Social Justice. Since 2022, Billings has hosted a free youth football camp impacting more than 600 students in Waco. Camps have included motivational speakers, representatives from the American Lung Association, book giveaways, free breakfast, and take- home meals. He has provided over $15,000 for shirts, water bottles, signed footballs and supplies, and secured grants and sponsorships. The first annual Andrew Billings Invitational Powerlifting event was held in 2022. Billings annually donates $2,000 to fund the meets and attends to encourage and motivate the young male and female powerlifters. It is steadily growing, with 15 schools and 184 powerlifters in 2022, increasing to 22 schools and 280 powerlifters in 2023. Billings has also donated $16,000 to Devine Sports and Mentorship Inc. since 2017. They inspire student-athletes to exceed their daily tasks and achieve their goals, focusing on SAT/ACT preparation, gang prevention, Basketball Skill Development Training, and 7-on-7 Football.