Columbus, OH - Nationwide and the National Football League announced today that the Ohio-based company will remain an official auto, home and life insurance sponsor of the league for the next four years.

As part of the agreement, Nationwide will continue as the presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which honors a player's volunteer and charity work as well as his excellence on the field.

“Nationwide cares deeply about the communities where our members and associates live and work. This award aligns closely with our mission to improve those communities and be more than a business,” said Terrance Williams, Nationwide’s chief marketing officer. “As the first corporate sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, we’re proud to spotlight the life-changing work these men are doing off the field. Over the past three years, Nationwide has given nearly $800,000 to nominee foundations, and we look forward to continuing to support these efforts in the years ahead.”

The new agreement includes associate sponsorship of the NFL Draft and provides additional Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award integrations into the first and third rounds of the NFL Draft, giving Nationwide an opportunity to share the message of the work being done by the nominees and the winner year-round. Nationwide also remains a top-tier sponsor of NFL Honors, a star-studded football and entertainment event where the NFL salutes its best players and plays from the season.

“Nationwide has been a terrific partner of the National Football League and we’re excited to extend our relationship with them,” said Renie Anderson, Senior Vice President of Sponsorship for the National Football League. “As evidenced by their work with the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, Nationwide’s partnership has a positive impact on communities across the nation, helping to highlight some of the wonderful charitable work that our players perform.”

As an official sponsor, Nationwide will be able to feature the NFL “shield” and the collective marks of all 32 NFL teams in national marketing and advertising campaigns.

“The NFL remains one of the best avenues to share Nationwide’s message of being able to protect the many sides of our members,” said Williams. “Partnering with the NFL allows us to continue to share that message with a diverse and extensive audience.”