The children’s book “Kelvin’s Big Adventure Map” came out in October, around the time when the author was playing muscle tight end for the Arizona Cardinals.

Kelvin Beachum, now starting at right tackle, has always been about much more than football. His book, based on his life and showing how his NFL career gave him the chance to travel the world, also explains how he has explored new cultures and ways to impact the community.

And the book sales support literacy programs through Donors Choose.

The author, meanwhile, had yet another line on his extensive charitable resumé that has now earned him the honor of being the Cardinals Walter Payton Man of the Year for the second time. Beachum was also chosen in 2021.

"For the book, I didn't really want to do a book tour," Beachum said with a smile. "The way to get out of doing a book tour is not to make money on the book, so I was like, 'Where can I push this money to?' I've got a partner in Donors Choose that this will benefit greatly.

"You start putting the puzzle and pieces together strategically how it will work and be on brand. … It wasn't about making money, it was about expressing myself in a different way."

With the honor, Beachum gets a $40,000 donation to his preferred charity, and he will be up for the NFL's Man of the Year award, which is announced at NFL Honors during Super Bowl week.

Beachum was also named the Jets Man of the Year in 2018.

"I'm grateful I was chosen this time around," said Beachum, noting there were multiple Cardinals who could have been chosen.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is considered the league's most prestigious honor, recognizing players who not only play well on the field but also commit to making a positive impact beyond the game.

Fans can vote for Beachum in the Walter Payton Man of the Year Challenge from now through Jan. 5. Vote online at NFL.com/manoftheyear, or via X (Twitter). On X, use the hashtag #WPMOYChallenge along with either Kelvin Beachum or @KelvinBeachumJr in the post. Votes count double on Dec. 16 and Jan. 2.

"While so many players on our team and throughout the league do amazing work in the community, the level of passion and commitment that Kelvin has exhibited during his six seasons in Arizona and throughout his 14-year NFL career is extraordinary," Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said. "He truly pours his heart into everything he undertakes – eliminating food insecurity, increasing access to technology and educational opportunities, leading on social justice initiatives. It is remarkable, commendable and illustrates exactly why he is so deserving of this honor."

The 36-year-old Beachum found his way back into the starting lineup with the season-ending injury to Jonah Williams. He has started six games and is in line to start the final five provided he can manage the groin injury that has impacted his year.

But none of that has slowed Beachum from his community impact.

Among the number of community impacts Beachum has made over the years:

• Beachum is the only player ever to win the NFLPA Community MVP five different seasons;
• He was given the "In The Arena" award from the McCain Institute for his humanitarian work;
• Since joining the Cardinals in 2020, Beachum has helped serve more than 1.5 million meals in seven different food banks in the United States with a $360,000 donation, and volunteers monthly at Unied Food Bank;
• He has worked with former baseball star Curtis Granderson to compete in raising the most money to feed families in Arizona and Chicago, respectively;
• Beachum is a climate change activist, working hard in ocean conservation and in 2024 donated $30,000 and raised another $15,000 to build three wells in Africa to provide clean water for local people;
• He has donated computers and donated more than $55,000 for personal education scholarships in an effort to provide needy children opportunities.

Beachum said it would be "surreal" if he were to win the NFL Man of the Year award. Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald are the only ones to have won as Cardinals.

But he said regardless, he is going to continue his community work nationally and internationally, and hopefully inspire some teammates along the way.

"I've gotten to the point in my career where I realize what my role is," Beachum said. "How do I start sharing knowledge, how do I start bringing folks along to teach the next generation how to do it, where to do it, when to do it, and bring players along."