GREEN BAY – Kenny Clark is a three-time Pro Bowler with more sacks than any other interior defensive lineman in Packers history.

Yet, for everything Clark has accomplished on the field during his nine-year NFL career, it's the laughter he hears at his annual football camp in Rialto, Calif., and the smiles he sees at his annual toy drive in San Bernardino he's most proud of.

Because not so long ago, the Packers' 2024 nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award was that young kid with dreams of playing football at the game's highest level.

"I tell kids all the time, I sat in these same seats you sit in. I walked these same streets," said Clark, who also was the team's nominee in 2018. "I know plenty of the same people that y'all know. I'm y'all. I'm just like y'all."

The importance of service and altruism was drilled into Clark at an early age. His family didn't have much, but Clark still saw his mother, Nicole, give what she could to those less fortunate while simultaneously working double shifts as a nurse and raising Clark and his siblings.

Today, Nicole is the driving force behind many of Clark's charitable efforts, including his "Kenny Clark Dreams Do Come True Camp" that's now entering its eighth year.

As a child, Clark attended former Pro Bowl running back Greg Bell's football camp at California State University, San Bernardino. Former Raiders cornerback Nnadi Asomugha spoke at the event, and it made an impact on a young Clark.

One of Clark's first goals after getting selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft was to give back in a similar way.

"I just try to push that through people's heads, especially in my hometown, just help them understand there's always hope," Clark said. "There's a better situation coming out of San Bernardino you can put yourself into, so many things you can do.

"That's just been my thing. My dad, he was in prison for a majority of my life, and I had to figure it out. I had a great support system. I had a great mom who pushed me every single day, who gave her all to her kids and to others."

Kenny Clark Sr. was released from prison in July 2023 and was in attendance for last year's regular-season opener in Chicago, marking the first time he watched his son play live in 19 years.

His family background led the younger Clark to a partnership with Angel Tree Prison Fellowship, a program that provides birthday and Christmas gifts to children in the name of their incarcerated parents or guardians.

As part of this year's My Cause, My Cleats campaign, Clark supported the U.S. Dream Academy in his hometown of San Bernardino, a non-profit organization that aims to empower at-risk children through academic, social, and values enrichment.

In addition to his camp and toy drive, Clark also has shopped with kids from the PALS program at Meijer in Green Bay during the holidays, visited patients at the Milwaukee Children's Hospital and helped build a playground with the Milwaukee police.

"I always cared and related to different situations," Clark said. "I always thought if I ever got put in that situation to where I can help those people, I definitely want to do that. It's just how I was raised. My family and my mom, she's big on that."

Clark also has spoken to students at numerous high schools around Wisconsin, participated in events for the Boys & Girls Club and twice participated in the Packers Tailgate Tour.

While Clark hadn't yet told his parents of this year's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nomination, Nicole was in the room when he got the call the first time in 2018.

"When he got the award, he was like, 'I haven't done enough,'" said Nicole in a May 2019 interview with packers.com. "I said, 'Shut up, you are a great human being.' He sat there and was analyzing what he has and hasn't done for a person, and I had to tell him you have done enough."

A former team captain and leader in the locker room, Clark is the Packers' longest-tenured veteran by two seasons. Still only 29, Clark has amassed 483 tackles, 94 quarterback hits, 35 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 135 NFL games (121 starts).

With his father watching on, Clark recorded a career-high 7½ sacks in 2023 on his way to signing a contract extension with Green Bay earlier this year.

"He's a model player you want to build a program around," said General Manager Brian Gutekunst earlier this year. "He certainly loves football and he's an unselfish team guy. He's all about winning. He is the exact example of the kind of guys we want in that locker room."

Each nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will receive up to $55,000 and the award winner will receive up to a $265,000 donation to their charity of choice.

All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, with the winner being announced during NFL Honors on Feb. 6.

As the Packers' nominee in 2018, Clark attended Super Bowl LII and enjoyed participating in all the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year events leading up to the big game.

The team broke the news to Clark after practice earlier this week. The recognition was appreciated, but the biggest reward for Clark is seeing surprise on a child's face after receiving their first bike or a toy they never thought they'd get.

"That's the best part for me,'" Clark said. "It just brings so much joy to my heart. I'm just grateful for the opportunity I even get a chance to do that. Just giving back, it always brings joy to my heart to see a smile on people's faces and see that they're genuinely happy."

Clark joins former Packers running back Aaron Jones (2021-22) as a two-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee by the team.

Other recent Green Bay nominees include Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Corey Linsley, Blake Martinez, De'Vondre Campbell, Jayrone Elliott, and Sam Barrington.