While the Lombardi Trophy represents the pinnacle of team success in professional football, there is one individual honor that stands above the rest for its focus on character and community service. The NFL Man of the Year Award winners represent the very best of the league, acknowledging players who excel not only on the gridiron but also in their dedication to philanthropy and positive impact off the field. Originally established in 1970, the award was renamed in 1999 to honor the legacy of the late Chicago Bears legend and humanitarian, Walter Payton.
What is the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award?
The NFL Man of the Year Award winners are selected based on their excellence on the field and their significant contributions to their communities through charity and volunteer work. Each of the 32 NFL teams nominates one player annually for the national award. The winner is typically announced during the NFL Honors ceremony, which takes place during the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
One of the most unique aspects of this honor is the visual recognition the winners receive. Since 2017, all active past winners of the award wear a special Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year silhouette patch on their jerseys for the remainder of their careers. This serves as a constant reminder of their commitment to service and makes them easily identifiable to fans and teammates as leaders in the community.
Recent NFL Man of the Year Award Winners and Their Impact
In recent years, the award has highlighted players who have gone above and beyond to address systemic issues and provide resources for underserved populations. Here are the most recent recipients who have joined this elite fraternity:
- Arik Armstead (2024): While playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars at the time of the announcement, Armstead was recognized for his long-standing commitment to education equity in San Francisco and Sacramento. Through his "Armstead Academic Solutions" program, he has provided resources, supplies, and advocacy for students in underserved communities.
- Cameron Heyward (2023): The Pittsburgh Steelers veteran was recognized for his "The Heyward House" foundation, which supports various causes including cancer research, literacy, and providing clothes and meals to those in need.
- Dak Prescott (2022): The Dallas Cowboys quarterback was honored for his work with the "Faith Fight Finish" foundation, which focuses on colon cancer research, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention.
- Andrew Whitworth (2021): The veteran offensive lineman was recognized for his immense contributions to the Los Angeles community, including housing initiatives and COVID-19 relief efforts.
- Russell Wilson (2020): During his time with the Seahawks, Wilson’s "Why Not You Foundation" made massive strides in pediatric cancer research and education for youth.
The Complete List of NFL Man of the Year Award Winners
The history of the award features a "Who’s Who" of NFL legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to dominant defensive ends, the list of NFL Man of the Year Award winners showcases the league's most influential figures.
The Early Years (1970–1989)
- 1970: Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
- 1971: John Hadl, San Diego Chargers
- 1972: Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs
- 1973: Len Dawson, Kansas City Chiefs
- 1974: George Blanda, Oakland Raiders
- 1975: Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals
- 1976: Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1977: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
- 1978: Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys
- 1979: Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1980: Harold Carmichael, Philadelphia Eagles
- 1981: Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1982: Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins
- 1983: Rolf Benirschke, San Diego Chargers
- 1984: Marty Lyons, New York Jets
- 1985: Dwight Stephenson, Miami Dolphins
- 1986: Reggie Williams, Cincinnati Bengals
- 1987: Dave Duerson, Chicago Bears
- 1988: Steve Largent, Seattle Seahawks
- 1989: Warren Moon, Houston Oilers
The Modern Era (1990–Present)
Following the renaming of the award in 1999, the prestige only grew. The NFL has occasionally named co-winners to honor multiple players for their extraordinary work, such as in 2000, 2006, and 2016.
- 1990: Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears
- 1991: Anthony Muñoz, Cincinnati Bengals
- 1992: John Elway, Denver Broncos
- 1993: Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs
- 1994: Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers
- 1995: Boomer Esiason, New York Jets
- 1996: Darrell Green, Washington Redskins
- 1997: Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys
- 1998: Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
- 1999: Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikings
- 2000: Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers & Jim Flanigan, Chicago Bears
- 2001: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2002: Troy Vincent, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2003: Will Shields, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2004: Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Falcons
- 2005: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
- 2006: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints & LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
- 2007: Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins
- 2008: Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
- 2009: Brian Waters, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2010: Madieu Williams, Minnesota Vikings
- 2011: Matt Birk, Baltimore Ravens
- 2012: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
- 2013: Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears
- 2014: Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers
- 2015: Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers
- 2016: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals & Eli Manning, New York Giants
- 2017: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
- 2018: Chris Long, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2019: Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2020: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
- 2021: Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams
- 2022: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
- 2023: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2024: Arik Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Winner Announcement
As the football world gathers for Super Bowl week, the excitement for this year’s humanitarian honor is reaching a fever pitch. Today, February 5, 2026, the NFL will officially announce the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year during the NFL Honors ceremony tonight. Each of the 32 nominees has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, and tonight one will join the storied list of NFL Man of the Year Award winners who have used their platforms to change the world.
The legacy of giving back remains a cornerstone of the league’s identity, ensuring that the spirit of Walter Payton lives on through the next generation of philanthropic leaders. Winning this award often carries more weight for players than MVP trophies because it recognizes the human being behind the helmet.
Sources & Original Reporting
