The NFL will celebrate greatness on the field Thursday. It’ll also commemorate greatness of the field.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award will be presented to the winner of the league’s most prestigious humanitarian honor at NFL Honors.
The Man of the Year trophy salutes a commitment to philanthropy and community impact. Each of the league’s 32 teams nominates one player for the annual award and the winner of selected out of the 32 candidates.
NFL Honors will be held at 9 p.m. on Feb. 6 and televised on FOX and NFL Network. The Walter Payton Man of the Year will also be honored on the field prior to Super Bowl 59.
Here’s what to know about the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
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What is the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award?
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award honors a player’s impact on and off the field, highlighting philanthropy and community service. Each team nominates one player per season who had a humanitarian influence on the community. One league winner is selected from the 32 nominees.
It was called NFL Man of the Year Award from 1970 until 1999, when it was renamed for Hall of Famer Walter Payton after his death in 1999. Payton was the recipient of the honor in 1977.
What does the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year receive?
The winner of the Man of the Year award receives up to a $265,000 donation to a charity of his choice.
All nominees receive up to a $55,000 donation to their preferred charity. The 32 nominees wore a Walter Payton Man of the Year decal on their helmets and trophy silhouette patch on the front of their jerseys beginning in Week 14 and through the rest of the season. Winners will wear the patch on their uniforms for the rest of their careers.
What is the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year logo?
The logo and patch are of a lineman with a cold weather cape draped over his shoulders standing alone on the sidelines. Artist Daniel Bennett Schwartz was commissioned to create the sculpture he titled “The Gladiator” in 1969.
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees list
Here are the 32 nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for 2024 season.
Man of the Year winners by year
- 2023: Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2022: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
- 2021: Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams
- 2020: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
- 2019: Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2018: Chris Long, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2017: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
- 2016: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, and Eli Manning, New York Giants
- 2015: Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers
- 2014: Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers
- 2013: Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears
- 2012: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
- 2011: Matt Birk, Baltimore Ravens
- 2010: Madieu Williams, Minnesota Vikinga
- 2009: Brian Waters, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2008: Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
- 2007: Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins
- 2006: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers, and Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
- 2005: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
- 2004: Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Falcons
- 2003: Will Shields, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2002: Troy Vincent, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2001: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2000: Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jim Flanigan, Green Bay Packers
- 1999: Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikinga
- 1998: Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
- 1997: Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys
- 1996: Darrell Green, Washington Redskins
- 1995: Boomer Esiason, New York Jets
- 1994: Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers
- 1993: Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs
- 1992: John Elway, Denver Broncos
- 1991: Anthony Munoz, Cincinnati Bengals
- 1990: Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears
- 1989: Warren Moon, Houston Oilers
- 1988: Steven Largent, Seattle Seahawks
- 1987: Dave Duerson, Chicago Bears
- 1986: Reggie Williams, Cincinnati Bengals
- 1985: Dwight Stephenson, Miami Dolphins
- 1984: Marty Lyons, New York Jets
- 1983: Rolf Benirschke, San Diego Chargers
- 1982: Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins
- 1981: Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1980: Harold Carmichael, Philadelphia Eagles
- 1979: Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1978: Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys
- 1977: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
- 1976: Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1975: Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals
- 1974: George Blanda, Oakland Raiders
- 1973: Len Dawson, Kansas City Chiefs
- 1972: Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs
- 1971: John Hadl, San Diego Chargers
- 1970: Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
