Kelvin Beachum
ARIZONA CARDINALS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive Lineman | Southern Methodist University | 14 |
Excellence on the Field
Kelvin Beachum was selected in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft, just four picks away from earning the title of "Mr. Irrelevant" and was the 21st and final offensive guard taken. Now in his 14th season, Beachum has amassed 162 career starts, ranking second among offensive linemen (guards and tackles combined) from his draft class. During his third season in 2014, Beachum started all 16 regular-season games and was ranked the fifth-best left tackle by Pro Football Focus (PFF). He graded positively, scoring +21.7 among tackles and 97.5 in pass-blocking efficiency. His pass-blocking efficiency ranked third behind only Andrew Whitworth and Joe Thomas. In 2020, the PFF ranked Beachum second in offensive snaps played. In 2024, Beachum helped the Cardinals' offense rush for 2,451 yards with 18 touchdowns on 463 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, the third-most rushing yards and highest rushing average in team history. He also played on an offensive line that allowed just 30 sacks, the fifth fewest in the 2024 season. Beachum's career has been defined by consistency and versatility. He has played every position across the offensive line and was selected by his Jets teammates to serve two seasons as team captain. His ability to perform at a high level across positions while displaying leadership and reliability underscores the long-standing excellence and impact on every team he has played for.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year
Kelvin Beachum has teamed up with former MLB star Curtis Granderson in a friendly fundraising competition to benefit the United Food Bank in Phoenix and Chicago, respectively. Throughout the month of November, Beachum will collect donations and fundraise with Raising Cane's, which will donate a percentage of their sales to the United Food Bank. He will host his fifth annual food distribution to provide meals for families in the Phoenix community. Last season, this initiative collectively raised $200,000. Beachum additionally supports multiple youth initiatives. He attends practices and mentors players on the Hamilton Girls Flag Football, and hired a student from Mesa Youth Creative Agency to design his custom cleats for NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative, giving student artists the opportunity to earn money, gain exposure, and showcase their talents. Beachum plans to participate in Hour of Code this December in support of Code.org, and to host a backpack and toy distribution in partnership with World Vision during the holiday season. He also recently authored a children's book focused on the power of curiosity and will visit select schools to read the book to students. The book distribution is part of an educational app designed to help children develop reading skills. All proceeds from book sales will support literacy projects on DonorsChoose.org, further extending Beachum's impact on youth education and learning.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Beachum has demonstrated his dedication to serving others through initiatives that provide school supplies and classroom resources, efforts to end hunger locally and internationally, and projects that deliver clean water to communities in need. He is also a strong advocate for educational equity, working to address the digital divide and encouraging STEM education, particularly for minority students. Within his hunger platform, Beachum has donated over $70,000 to the Central Texas Food Bank, United Food Bank, Feeding Northwest Florida, New York Food Bank, North Texas Food Bank, and Pittsburgh Food Bank. He also serves as a monthly volunteer at the United Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona. His clean water projects range both domestically and internationally; he personally helped distribute 26,000 water bottles to Newark, NJ residents in need and funded the construction of three wells in Zambia. Internationally, he has funded three water wells in Zambia, providing up to 2,800 gallons of water daily to more than 300 people, giving three communities access to clean, life-sustaining water for up to 30 years. Beachum supports education through programming, speaking engagements, field trips, classroom resources, and technology. He has hosted a free annual football camp in his hometown of Mexia, TX, welcoming 500 campers each year for nine straight years. Recently, he hosted a youth football camp in Saudi Arabia and plans to host two more camps in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2026 to help grow the game globally.
Positive Character & a Lifestyle of Giving Back
As a member of the Players Coalition, Kelvin works with NFL teammates to address social and racial inequalities, ensuring future generations can thrive without barriers. Starting in 2015, he has partnered with Bread for the World to advocate for legislation to improve school lunch and breakfast programs, educate policymakers on malnutrition, and support the Global Food Security Act. He also maintains a strategic partnership with World Vision, advancing global humanitarian efforts focused on combating hunger, providing clean water, supporting education, and disaster relief. Kelvin exemplifies how a professional athlete can leverage his platform for meaningful impact while engaging the public to join his efforts. As a 14-year veteran, he is a team leader, mentor, father, husband, and professional. NFL executives, teammates, and sports and business publications recognize him as an athlete who values community work, pursues continuous learning, and drives positive impact. He was named a top three ambassador of the game by NFL Network's Good Morning Football. Kelvin is also one of the most decorated athletes in the league for his character and community impact, including: a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee (2018, 2021); NFLPA Community MVP winner (2016–2019, 2022) and the first five-time recipient; Pro Football Writers of America "Good Guy" Award (2022); Forbes 30 Under 30 (2018); United Way Hometown Hero (2018); SMU Emerging Leader Award (2018); and the McCain Institute In the Arena Award (2023). With his genuine heart for service, leadership, and professional excellence, Kelvin Beachum exemplifies the true spirit of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
