Awards & Winners

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

NFL Honors

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is given 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, Connie Payton, the previous year's winner, and a number of former players, selects the winner of the award. The Man of the Year winner receives a $25,000 donation in his name to a charity of his choice. The other 31 finalists also receive donations in their name of $1,000 each to charities of their choice.

Check all the winners of Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented under NFL Honors since 1970 .


Nominations 2013 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Charles Tillman
Thomas Davis
Jay Feely

Nominations 2012 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jason Witten
Joe Thomas
Larry Fitzgerald

Nominations 2011 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Matt Birk
Philip Rivers
Charles Tillman

Nominations 2010 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Madieu Williams
Nnamdi Asomugha
Israel Idonije

Nominations 2009 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Brian Waters
Mike Furrey
London Fletcher

Nominations 2008 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Kurt Warner
Matt Birk
Brian Dawkins

Nominations 2007 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jason Taylor
Hines Ward
Jason Witten
Brian Waters

Nominations 2006 »

Nominee Nominated Work
LaDainian Tomlinson
Drew Brees

Nominations 2006 »

Nominee Nominated Work
LaDainian Tomlinson
Drew Brees

Nominations 2005 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Peyton Manning

Nominations 2004 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Warrick Dunn

Nominations 2003 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Will Shields

Nominations 2002 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Troy Vincent

Nominations 2001 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jerome Bettis

Nominations 2000 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Derrick Brooks
Jim Flanigan

Nominations 2000 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Derrick Brooks
Jim Flanigan

Nominations 1999 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Cris Carter

Nominations 1998 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Dan Marino

Nominations 1997 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Troy Aikman

Nominations 1996 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Darrell Green

Nominations 1995 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Boomer Esiason

Nominations 1994 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Junior Seau

Nominations 1993 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Derrick Thomas

Nominations 1992 »

Nominee Nominated Work
John Elway

Nominations 1991 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Anthony Muñoz

Nominations 1990 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Mike Singletary

Nominations 1989 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Warren Moon

Nominations 1988 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Steve Largent

Nominations 1987 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Dave Duerson

Nominations 1986 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Reggie Williams

Nominations 1985 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Dwight Stephenson

Nominations 1984 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Marty Lyons

Nominations 1983 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Rolf Benirschke

Nominations 1982 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Joe Theismann

Nominations 1981 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Lynn Swann

Nominations 1980 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Harold Carmichael

Nominations 1979 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Joe Greene

Nominations 1978 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Roger Staubach

Nominations 1977 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Walter Payton

Nominations 1976 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Franco Harris

Nominations 1975 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Ken Anderson

Nominations 1974 »

Nominee Nominated Work

George Blanda

Nominations 1973 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Len Dawson

Nominations 1972 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Willie Lanier

Nominations 1971 »

Nominee Nominated Work
John Hadl

Nominations 1970 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Johnny Unitas