COLLEGE PARK, MD — Former Maryland wide receiver DJ Moore will be recognized at the NFL Honors Banquet on February 5 as the Chicago Bears' nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The prestigious honor recognizes an NFL player's excellence on the field and commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Now in his eighth NFL season, Moore earned the nomination for his continued work through the Moore2Life Foundation, which empowers inner-city youth through health, wellness, education and recreation initiatives. 

Originally selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Moore has established himself as one of the league's most consistent wide receivers. He has recorded multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons and recently surpassed 8,000 career receiving yards while spending time with both the Panthers and Bears.

Moore has made community outreach a cornerstone of his professional career. This season, he partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County for a back-to-school shopping event, served Thanksgiving meals with One Family Illinois, and continued his longtime support of Susan G. Komen through the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative.

A Philadelphia native, Moore starred at Maryland from 2015–17, earning 2017 Big Ten Receiver of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten honors. During his junior season, he set a program single-season record with 80 receptions while becoming one of just three FBS receivers to record at least 80 catches, 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns.

Moore finished his Terp career ranked among Maryland's all-time leaders, placing fifth in receptions (146), fifth in receiving yards (2,027) and fourth in touchdown catches (17), cementing his legacy as one of the top wide receivers in program history.