For Larry Ogunjobi, being 'the first' is something that just seems to be a part of his life.

Ogunjobi was a member of the University of Charlotte's first-ever recruiting class and played for the 49ers in their inaugural season.

He was the first from the school to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl, he made the first tackle for a loss in school history and was also the first one from the school to be named to a national award watchlist when he was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award and Outland Trophy watchlists.

Ogunjobi was even asked by his college coach, Brad Lambert, to be the first in school history to wear 'No. 49,' representing the school's nickname of the '49ers.'

It's no surprise, with the impact he made at Charlotte, that he was the first in school history to be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and the first player from the school to be selected in the NFL Draft.

It's those firsts, plus some that are way more meaningful in his life, that inspired him to create the First of Many Foundation.

And now, he has the potential to add another first to that list.

Ogunjobi could become the first Nigerian born player to win the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Ogunjobi is the Steelers nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide, an honor he more than deserves with the way he truly gives from the heart.

Ogunjobi learned of his nomination during a team meeting this week, when Cameron Heyward, the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, surprised him with the news.

"I have had the privilege of winning this award," said Heyward as he made the announcement. "It's about what Walter Payton stands for, being a good man on the field, off the field. (Larry) does a lot, doesn't say a lot, but we get the privilege of seeing all of his work."

Ogunjobi was humbled by the honor, but knows it's what he should be doing.

"We've got an obligation to give," said Ogunjobi during the meeting. "God has blessed us in tremendous ways. Our opportunity to give back to people is big. When you have an opportunity to put the light somewhere other than yourself, you have a chance to really make a difference. Let this be an example, anybody can do it, you guys can do it. Keep striving for greatness."

When he left the meeting, he was still feeling the same way, blessed to be considered for the honor, but also knowing it's what anyone in his place should do.

"It's an honor and blessing," said Ogunjobi. "You've seen guys who have worn that mantle at the highest level, like Cam who actually won it last year. You see the work that he's put in and his dedication to serve and to help people. Life is all about helping and giving back. And we have an obligation as professional athletes to do the same.

"I feel blessed to be in this position, and I'm just excited to be able to continue to push this narrative in the right direction."

Ogunjobi is hoping he sets an example for younger players, being someone they can follow in the path of giving back.

"I think it's very important because when you're in a space, and obviously we we're all about football and doing what we've got to do to win and make plays, and that's amazingly important," said Ogunjobi. "But at the same time, giving back and helping others and being a light in this world I think is just as important as well."

Ogunjobi has found numerous ways to give back to the community, a lot of it through his First of Many Foundation.

"I am first-generation Nigerian," said Ogunjobi. "The foundation focuses around first generation kids whose parents are immigrants, coming from different countries to find a better life in the States. We focus on things like mental health, childhood obesity, mentorship, and things of that nature.

"Being the first generation in my family, the first player drafted from my college, I thought it was big to set the bar and continue to lead by example. That is why the foundation was so important to me. I want to help people who have the vision, but not a road map. I want to give them the tools they need to move forward in life."

Ogunjobi's focus with his nomination is the American Heart Association and fighting childhood obesity, something that he dealt with as a kid, and it was his first step on the football field that changed everything for him.

"I was obese when I was growing up," said Ogunjobi. "I didn't start playing football until my sophomore year in high school. I was about 350 pounds. I understand the struggles for kids that are overweight. I know football changed my life. So being able to highlight a cause that changed my life for the better is very important to me."

Ogunjobi was more interested in playing video games than football growing up, but that all changed when he got a push to sign up for the Ragsdale High football team in Jamestown, North Carolina.

Ogunjobi put his mind to getting in shape to make the team, and he did just that.

"I had a coach my sophomore year of high school," said Ogunjobi. "My dad met him at the park, and he wanted to help. I didn't really know anything about football or anything like that, but he just wanted to help me lose weight.

"He trained me for about a month or so and one day we were driving by the high school, and he said you are going to play football. I said, no, I'm not. He said yes, you are. We got into an argument. He took me to the front office, got the permission slip and my mom signed it.

"I was on the football field that Saturday. When I finished the workout, I couldn't finish the sprints. And that was the end of practice. The next day they came up to me and said, Larry, are you still here. I said, yes, I am still here. In my head I was thinking because I have to be.

"I went through my junior varsity season and got the award for most improved JV player. And I went from 350 the summer of my sophomore year to 247 the summer of my junior year. I lost around 100 pounds in a year."

Knowing that it took an awakening for him to develop from the kid who had no interest in playing sports and would rather sit around playing video games, to the professional athlete he is today, has inspired Ogunjobi to do his part to help kids.

He holds an annual football camp at his high school, encouraging kids to get out and be active and give it a shot.

"I understand that it's important to be active and not live a sedentary life, be able to move around," said Ogunjobi. "Get out there and do things you enjoy doing. Find the things you like, the things you don't like, and do the things you like. Expose yourself to things.

"I was a kid that just liked to play video games, I didn't do anything else. Then I was introduced to football, and it became my life. I want to be an outlet and light for kids who might not know where they want to go and show them that it's possible for them too.

"Just give it a chance. Step out of your comfort zone. You might end up liking it more than you thought you would."

Ogunjobi is trying to make a difference in the lives of others in so many ways, from taking kids shopping at the holidays, to providing meals for those in need, to his youth football camp and many other endeavors.

"I am all about community service," said Ogunjobi. "I want to continue moving the needle in the right direction."

Ogunjobi's parents moved to the United States from Nigeria in 1993, a year before he was born. They wanted a better life for themselves, and for their family one day.

Now he wants to help those who are in a similar situation, looking for a better life in the United States.

"As long as you put the work in, believe in yourself, the opportunity is always there. You just have to believe," said Ogunjobi. "When people see examples of people who are like them doing things that are out of the ordinary, they realize I can do this too. We are not that much different after all.

"That is my biggest thing, letting people know you can too. I didn't start this thing as someone who was super touted. It was hard work and dedication that got me to where I am. Being around the right people, surrounding myself with the right people, is super important to me."

Ogunjobi knows getting to where he is today wasn't something that came easy, with his parents and himself facing challenges along the way.

But he knows how lucky he is to be where he is now, and his hope is to help others find similar success in whatever path they choose in life.

"It's gratifying, it's humbling, it's a blessing," said Ogunjobi. "It's something you can never take for granted. My parents came here with nothing. They built a life here, moved here to get a better life. This is the outcome, so I want to make sure I am able to give it back because my parents instilled such a good example in me of that."

While he knows he can't touch every life he would like through his foundation, he is hoping through the words of inspiration he has shared on social media he can touch a much wider audience.

"You never know what someone is going through," said Ogunjobi. "You never know who needs the message. Being able to give back and be that voice for people. That reminder that maybe things aren't going how you want them to, still push yourself in the right direction.

"It's important to understand that regardless of the situation, I can get up."

Ogunjobi, who last year was the Steelers nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, has a passion not just for giving back, but for the game he plays.

"I enjoy the sport," said Ogunjobi. "I should say, I love the sport. I love everything about it. Football has opened so many doors for me, allowed me to do so many things, and help so many people. I owe this game a lot, so I don't take it for granted."

Moreso, though, he doesn't take his responsibility for giving back for granted. He understands the importance of it, and he does it in a wide range of ways.

With football being something he loves so much, he normally kicks off his season of giving back with an event focused on the game.

In June, Ogunjobi held his 4th Annual Youth Football Camp at his alma mater, Ragsdale High School in North Carolina. The event is free to boys and girls in the community to help young athletes learn the fundamentals of football, with the emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship.

"I think it's super important to give back," said Ogunjobi. "When you come from a place like this, Ragsdale, that is built on family, faith and football, it just feels right to be around people and give back. Ragsdale has done so much for me. Being able to give back, doing the camp, being around the kids is important and I just love it."

Ogunjobi hosted a group of young men from the Urban League of Pittsburgh at a practice during training camp, allowing them to enjoy the action from the sidelines and get an up close and personal look of the team's preparation.

Following practice, Ogunjobi hosted an etiquette dinner for the young men, giving them an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of fine dining while listening to their stories and sharing insight with them to help better prepare them for life.

"We're really proud of the way Larry has given back and embraced the Pittsburgh community," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "But if you look at it, it's something he's been doing throughout his career whether it's through his youth football camps in North Carolina or his holiday toy drive that started in Cleveland. The veteran leadership and character he brings to this team are big reasons we wanted to do business with him in the first place, and we're happy to have him here and proud of the work he's done."

And being prepared for life is something he always stresses with the young people he comes in contact with, and a lot of that is based on education and his upbringing. STEM programs are something that are personal to him, something that he studied in college at the University of Charlotte.

So, for him to be able to host a NIKE STEM x Shoe event this season and share the importance of programs that are enhanced by advanced technology was extremely meaningful. Ogunjobi partnered with Nike, the Boys and Girls Club of Western PA and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh's Black Male and Female Leadership Development Programs for the event.

"I just think the trajectory of the world and how technology is moving in such a big way, it's good to get the kids involved," said Ogunjobi. "I think everything we have, everything we do is technologically based. I feel like when you start them early it gives them a chance to work through things.

"It caters to the importance of it all. We live in a world where everything that we touch and everything we do is technology. Maximizing that and exposing children early is really cool."

Ogunjobi had a double major in computer science and biology while at Charlotte, something that continues to help him with continuing advancement in technology.

"It gives me a different level of dialogue when I speak to people and it's a different kind of conversation starter," said Ogunjobi. "All the stuff that is going on with AI, all the different advancements, it helps you get a leg up on things."

Ogunjobi continued the spirit of helping kids with education being the focus when he hosted his third annual Back To School event in September. Ogunjobi provided backpacks and school supplies to 300 kids at Urban Academy in Pittsburgh. Ogunjobi has worked with Urban Academy the past three years, a school known for their STEM program.

"I love having the opportunity to give every single year and to be an integral part of the start of the school year," said Ogunjobi. "Great school supplies are the foundation of a successful school year, it's always good to come back and see familiar faces, I can't wait to see what the future holds for this group of bright students."

The reaction he received from the kids is always one of joy, happiness and excitement, and having the opportunity to interact with the kids and bring that reaction truly warms his heart.

"It's always good to give back," said Ogunjobi. "I think it's good to be a part of young kids' lives and allow them to see some of the people they look up to give back. I think it's important to leave a mark on the community, show the kids it's important to pay it forward.

"Education is really important and to be able to give back is a blessing.

"I think representation is very important and presence is even more important. Being able to see the person, shake their hand, see them, be in their presence. It puts a name to a face.

"I feel like in basketball and other sports where they don't have a helmet on, they can see that person and know who they are. When you can take the helmet off and show a human side of us, being there for them is really important for the kids."

When asked to help with team endeavors, Ogunjobi is one who is always willing to do his part, including this year when he served as a co-captain for Steelers Style, the team's annual fashion show. The event benefits the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Cancer Bridges and the Chuck Noll Foundation.

"Doing it for the charities, that is the biggest thing," said Ogunjobi. "It's important to give back. It's amazing what we do here, the tradition. It's an honor to be selected as one of the co-captains."

Ogunjobi also enjoyed the opportunity to show off his fashion sense, something he said can show respect, during an event where team bonding thrives.

"It's cool. I enjoy fashion," said Ogunjobi. "It's one of those things where it's look good, feel good, play good. I always try and look presentable, because that's how my parents raised me.

"When I first got in the league, I had guys like Christian Kirksey and Chris Smith take me under their wing when it comes to those kinds of things. I just thought it was cool.

"Wearing certain things, doing certain things, especially being a big man I think it just kind of opens a lot of doors and it's cool."

The holiday season is a special time for Ogunjobi to give back, starting with Thanksgiving when he hosted his third annual Thanksgiving dinner for families served by the YWCA, spending an evening with them where he served the dinner and visited with the individuals.

He also took it one step further, as Ogunjobi also passed out gift cards to each of the families to help with their own Thanksgiving dinner for their family.

"It's really important to help with stuff like this," said Ogunjobi. "The holidays are always hard for people, given certain family situations and things of that nature. Being able to give back is special. My parents took Thanksgiving, Christmas, all of those holidays very seriously. Being able to give back in a big way is important to me.

"Helping people a little less fortunate than I am is one of the best ways to use the blessings God has bestowed upon me. I am always happy, always eager to give back in a big way.

"I understand that it's not by accident each and every one of us are here. It took a lot of hard work, dedication, and a lot of blessings. Because of that, sometimes you do a disservice to yourself, the people that believed in you, if you don't give back. Using your platform in a big way, a big capacity is important.

"You never know what your influence, your presence can do for people. Just those gestures that may not seem big to us are life changing to others."

And it is his presence at the dinner, visiting with everyone and taking the time to talk, listen to their stories, that goes a long way.

"I have been a giver the majority of my life from watching my parents," said Ogunjobi. "Being there, seeing the smiles, getting the hugs, the joyful faces are important. I am just happy to be able to give back in a big way."

At Christmas, Ogunjobi will once again take kids from the Urban League shopping for gifts for themselves, and the opportunity for them to buy for others they love.

"The importance of giving back in this capacity is something that comes from my parents, who have always been givers," said Ogunjobi. "They gave out of nothing when I was growing up.

"Being able to give back in this capacity is very big for me. You just never know what people are going through, especially at the holidays."

Ogunjobi spends the evening with the kids, enjoying every minute of sharing valuable time together.

"To be able to help and be a light is super important to me," said Ogunjobi. "That's how my parents raised me. I am excited to just be able to do it. I think your impact and presence is important and something you should never take for granted.

"I am excited. I love seeing the kid's smiles and what they pick out. Christmas is always a fun time. I am just excited to help."

In addition, Ogunjobi understands what it's like for families that are immigrants to the United States based on his family history. He knows that families can struggle with receiving the basic necessities to help rebuild their life. This is why he is teaming up with Hello Neighbor, a local organization that works to improve the lives of recently resettled refugee and immigrant families by matching them with dedicated neighbors to guide and support them in their new lives. He provides over 30 families with housing items, food, children's clothing and other resources to help make their transition to the Pittsburgh community easier.

"It's just all about giving back," said Ogunjobi. "It's what we all should do."

About the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award:

Each nominee will receive up to $55,000 and the award winner will receive up to a $265,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are made possible by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.

All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The winner of the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. Fans can vote on X (formerly Twitter) by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the last name/X handle of their chosen nominee or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The nominee who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide to the charity of their choice, with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000. Charity Challenge voting takes place from Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Jan. 6.

Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year's nominees, including Larry Ogunjobi will wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.