Former Penn State LB Jason Cabinda named Walter Payton nominee

Ahead of the 2018 season, Penn State head coach James Franklin wanted to make a point to his team.

Coming off a Fiesta Bowl win and an 11-win 2017 season, the Nittany Lions were turning over key pieces of the roster. Included among them, four-year linebacker Jason Cabinda had rounded out his career and took with him something Franklin wanted to see continue.

“Culture is a big word for me and I know it’s a big word for a lot of coaches and a lot of programs. I think it’s probably thrown around a little bit too much, but I’m going to do the same thing right now,” Franklin said. “I showed a bunch of clips today before practice of championship habits. Guys doing little things that are going to pay big dividends for us down the road. I just see more of it. 

“In the past, it was a DaeSean Hamilton as a redshirt senior who really kind of figured it all out and he was doing it. You had veteran players like Jason Cabinda. Now I see multiple players at a position showing how to practice and how to compete. We talk about championship habits in football and in life, and I just see all of that.”

Cabinda’s contributions

For Cabinda, that standard established at Penn State has continued into his NFL career.

Tuesday, it was recognized in the form of his nomination by the Detroit Lions for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. An annual recognition of the league’s best and brightest for “outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field,” the fourth-year player exemplifies both.

Frequently appearing at volunteer opportunities in the Detroit community, Cabinda has been especially active with Davison Elementary School. Among his initiatives, the fullback established the “Jason Cabinda Attendance Award” for students with perfect attendance, while also leading a Back to School Book Drive and spearheading a virtual literacy program during COVID-19.

A record of community engagement established while at Penn State, the list of community contributions and giving back to others only extends from there for Cabinda as he remains involved in the Oakland community where he began his NFL career, as well as other national and team programs he has contributed to. 

“Walter Payton’s legacy embodies so many things. He was one of the greatest running backs on the field, and he truly looked out for people that didn’t have a voice and gave them a voice,” Cabinda said via press release. “I think within my character, I hope to embody Walter Payton in the sense of wanting to look out for others and wanting to be somebody who gives back and be somebody who remembers their roots and where they came from. 

“When you’re in this position, you can have such an impact on these communities. You can have an impact knowing that the person that is standing in front of them is a person that has been in their shoes and has been sitting in their seats.”

Next steps

Cabinda will be granted up to $40,000 for a donation in his name to a charity of his choice. He is also now eligible for a $250,000 donation in his name if selected as the award winner at this year’s Super Bowl. 

In his four seasons at Penn State, Cabinda played in 41 games and started 36, finishing with 279 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. 

Beginning his career as a linebacker with the Raiders, Cabinda signed with the Lions in September 2019 and has since transitioned into a fullback. Playing in all 11 games so far this season, Cabinda has three carries for 23 yards.