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

Darius Slayton

NEW YORK GIANTS

EXCELLENCE ON THE FIELD

Darius Slayton has made the most of his NFL career after he was selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. As the Giants celebrate their 100th season, Slayton is 17th in franchise history with 249 receptions and 19th with 3,744 yards. He is the only receiver in Giants history to lead the team in receiving yards in four of his first five seasons. Slayton has caught at least one pass in 25 consecutive regular-season games. Over his last six seasons, Slayton has had more receptions (197) for more yards (2,771) and more touchdowns (12) than any of the other 52 receivers who have caught at least one pass from quarterback Daniel Jones.

DEMONSTRATES POSITIVE CHARACTER & MODELS A LIFESTYLE OF GIVING BACK

After Darius and his family lost their home during the recession in 2008, he learned first-hand what it was like to rely on others for basic needs. In addition to his support of the Far Rockaway and Harlem Giants programs, Slayton's Left-Hand Right-Hand Foundation annually hosts a free youth football camp in his hometown of Atlanta and provides meals and household items to families during the holidays. He has also been part of the Giants' efforts to grow the game of girls' flag football and served as a captain during their annual Flag Field Day event. With his mother being a career educator, Darius embraced his education and shares that message with any youth he encounters. Darius leads with his heart in everything that he does and the love he gives to others has changed lives. His leadership style is demonstrated through action, but when given an opportunity to speak, Darius meets an individual where they are and finds a way to relate with everyone. He serves as a mentor and role model to boys across New York City, including Eddie Diaz and Cardan Stevens, two boys he met through the Far Rockaway Giants program back in 2020. They are now juniors in high school on academic scholarships looking to pursue a collegiate career in academics and football. As the programs expand, so does Darius' support, and he has taken his teammates with him for the last five years. There are currently 35 players on the Giants roster that have had at least one engagement with the programs. Darius is the ultimate team player who has been a source of stability in the locker room and in the community.

DEDICATION & COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY EFFORTS

THIS YEAR

Throughout the year, Darius has continued the many events he and his family created through his relationship with the NYPD-led Far Rockaway, Harlem, and Bronx Giants. These programs work to improve police-community relations while providing youth with academic resources and guidance as they look to graduate high school, and ultimately college. Spring began with Darius' annual car show, where more than 50 drivers went too Far Rockaway, Queens. Darius created this event for boys to learn about different career paths outside of football and the importance of their education. The drivers shared their life stories and spoke about their professions, including architecture, accounting, graphic design, and law. Darius never seeks credit for his tireless community work and always seeks to serve others. While he continues to remain humble and avoid the spotlight, organizations at the forefront of giving back in New York City could not pass up the opportunity to celebrate his work. Darius received the United Way of New York City's "Hometown Hero" Award at their 2024 Gridiron Gala, helping raise more than $2.3 million for children and families in New York City. The New York Giants were also honored at the 2024 New York City Police Foundation Annual Gala and Darius' efforts to support Far Rockaway, Harlem, and the Bronx Giants were highlighted with the honor. The event raised more than $5 million to support the NYPD and programs like those Darius works with. Darius and his family continued their annual back-to-school drive in which they provided school supplies and household needs for more than 60 boys and their siblings. As the programs continue to succeed, the need for expansion is evident. Darius was part of the initial group that set a goal for the program to be in all five boroughs, and he got one step closer to that goal when he kicked off the Bronx Giants program, alongside teammates, educators, and members of the NYPD this fall. Later in the season, Darius will host his annual holiday party, which provides household needs, clothing, food, and gifts to families across all three programs in December. Darius also hosted his annual free youth football camp for children in his hometown of Atlanta this summer.

IN YEARS PAST

Darius was raised to be a source of support to those in need regardless of circumstance. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Darius was part of a player group that came together to inspire change through educational equity and police community relations. It was then that Darius was introduced to the Far Rockaway Colts, since appropriately re-named the Far Rockaway Giants. The program is made possible through a collective effort from the New York Giants, New York City Police Foundation, NYPD, and NYC Department of Education. Prior to being introduced to the program, Darius supported the "Defund the Police" rhetoric that was growing throughout the country. After learning about the program and creating relationships with the officers, Darius realized the impact successful police-community relations can have and has used his platform to share the life-changing work of these officers. This realization resulted in a course of events that has drastically changed the lives of young men through the creation of the Harlem and Bronx Giants expansion programs. To raise awareness for the programs, Darius served as an ambassador to educate fans when the New York Giants and MetLife teamed up to launch a cobranded First Responders hat which raised over $75,000 to benefit first responder organizations, including the Far Rockaway and Harlem Giants. Darius's commitment to the programs earned him the Outstanding Community Service Award, which he received alongside the boys he mentors at their annual gala. While Darius takes the time to go to these boroughs, he also spends time with the program participants when they regularly visit Training Camp and home games. In his sixth season with the Giants, Darius personally provided over $100,000 worth of funding and resources to the programs. Under Darius' leadership, with the support of the New York Giants, there are now 150 boys across 20 schools participating in the programs between all three boroughs. With 30 NYPD officers operating the programs, 1,080 hours of after-school tutoring are provided to the youth in a given year. Since the inception of the program, no one has had to repeat a grade or take summer school, and the programs have graduated over 15 boys onto high school. Darius has also represented the programs on his cleats for the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" initiative. Darius continues to use his platform as an NFL player to impact communities and inspires his teammates to do the same.