Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award


The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is presented annually by the National Football League honoring a player's volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field. Prior to 1999, it was called simply the NFL Man of the Year Award. Shortly after Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton died, the award was renamed to honor his legacy as a humanitarian. Each year, a winner is selected from 32 nominees from the 32 different teams. A panel of judges, which includes the Commissioner of the NFL, the previous year's winner, and a number of former players select the winner of the award. The Man of the Year winner receives a $250,000 donation in his name to a charity of his choice. The other 31 finalists also receive donations in their name of $50,000 each to charities of their choice. The Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs have had more winners of the award than any other team, with 5 winners each.
Since 2017, previous winners who are currently active in the league wear a patch, depicting a caped silhouette of Payton, on their uniforms for the rest of their NFL careers. The current active winners are: Drew Brees, Jason Witten, Thomas Davis, Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Watt, and Calais Campbell. Once announced, the nominees of each team are given a helmet decal, also depicting Payton, to wear for the remainder of the season.

Winners

YearPlayerPositionTeamRef
1970Johnny UnitasQuarterbackBaltimore Colts
1971QuarterbackSan Diego Chargers
1972LinebackerKansas City Chiefs
1973QuarterbackKansas City Chiefs
1974QuarterbackOakland Raiders
1975QuarterbackCincinnati Bengals
1976Running backPittsburgh Steelers
1977Running backChicago Bears
1978QuarterbackDallas Cowboys
1979Defensive TacklePittsburgh Steelers
1980Wide receiverPhiladelphia Eagles
1981Wide receiverPittsburgh Steelers
1982QuarterbackWashington Redskins
1983PlacekickerSan Diego Chargers
1984Defensive tackleNew York Jets
1985CenterMiami Dolphins
1986LinebackerCincinnati Bengals
1987SafetyChicago Bears
1988Wide receiverSeattle Seahawks
1989QuarterbackHouston Oilers
1990LinebackerChicago Bears
1991Offensive tackleCincinnati Bengals
1992QuarterbackDenver Broncos
1993LinebackerKansas City Chiefs
1994LinebackerSan Diego Chargers
1995QuarterbackNew York Jets
1996CornerbackWashington Redskins
1997QuarterbackDallas Cowboys
1998QuarterbackMiami Dolphins
1999Wide receiverMinnesota Vikings
2000LinebackerTampa Bay Buccaneers
2000Defensive tackleChicago Bears
2001Running backPittsburgh Steelers
2002CornerbackPhiladelphia Eagles
2003GuardKansas City Chiefs
2004Running backAtlanta Falcons
2005QuarterbackIndianapolis Colts
2006QuarterbackNew Orleans Saints
2006Running backSan Diego Chargers
2007Defensive endMiami Dolphins
2008QuarterbackArizona Cardinals
2009GuardKansas City Chiefs
2010SafetyMinnesota Vikings
2011CenterBaltimore Ravens
2012Tight endDallas Cowboys
2013CornerbackChicago Bears
2014LinebackerCarolina Panthers
2015Wide receiverSan Francisco 49ers
2016Wide receiverArizona Cardinals
2016QuarterbackNew York Giants
2017Defensive endHouston Texans
2018Defensive endPhiladelphia Eagles
2019Defensive endJacksonville Jaguars