NFL Man of the Year

The NFL Man of the Year Award is a high honor given each year to a player for service in the community. Each recipient gets to wear the special patch on his jersey for the rest of his career. While renamed the Walter Payton Man of the Year, the patch and trophy are modeled after a Green Bay offensive lineman Steve Wright, who played in the Packers first two Super Bowl victories.

Interesting that a majority of the awards have gone to skill position players. One player for each time is nominated each year. Each year the nominees from each team get to wear a special helmet sticker, and receive a donation of $50,000 to charities of their choice. The winner gets $250,000.00 for the charities of his choice.

QB Russell Wilson won this year, for his work with black lives matter, as well his longtime work with the Seattle children’s hospitals.

70 QB Johnny Unitas Colts HOF

71 QB John Hadl Chargers

72 LB Willie Lanier Chiefs HOF

73 QB Len Dawson Chiefs HOF

74 PK George Blanda Raiders HOF

75 QB Ken Anderson Bengals

76 RB Franco Harris Steelers HOF

77 RB Walter Payton Bears HOF

78 QB Roger Staubach Cowboys HOF

79 DT Joe Greene Steelers HOF

80 WR Harold Carmichael Eagles HOF

81 WR Lynn Swann Steelers HOF

82 QB Joe Theismann Redskins

83 PK Rolf Benirschke Chargers

84 DT Marty Lyons DT Jets

85 OC Dwight Stephenson Dolphins HOF

86 LB Reggie Williams Bengals

87 FS Dave Duerson Bears

88 WR Steve Largent Seahawks HOF

89 QB Warren Moon Oilers HOF

90 LB Mike Singletary Bears HOF

91 OT Anthony Munoz Bengals HOF

92 QB John Elway Broncos HOF

93 LB Derrick Thomas Chiefs HOF

94 LB Junior Seau Chargers HOF

95 QB Boomer Esiason Bengals

96 CB Darrell Green Redskins HOF

97 QB Troy Aikman Cowboys HOF

98 QB Dan Marino Dolphins HOF

99 WR Chris Carter Vikings HOF

00 LB Derrick Brooks Buccaneers HOF

00 DT Jim Flanigan Bears

01 RB Jerome Bettis Steelers HOF

02 CB Troy Vincent Eagles

03 OG Will Shields Chiefs HOF

04 RB Warrick Dunn Falcons

05 QB Peyton Manning Colts HOF

06 QB Drew Brees Saints active HOF?

06 RB LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers HOF

07 DE Jason Taylor Dolphins HOF

08 QB Kurt Warner Cardinals HOF

09 OG Brian Waters Chiefs

10 FS Madieu Williams Vikings

11 OC Matt Birk Ravens

12 TE Jason Witten Cowboys HOF?

13 CB Charles Tillman Bears

14 LB Thomas Davis Panthers

15 WR Anquan Boldin 49ers

16 WR Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals active HOF?

17 QB Eli Manning Giants

18 DE JJ Watt Texans active HOF?

19 DE Calais Campbell Jaguars active

20 QB Russell Wilson Seahawks active

Interesting that of the 53 winners, 33 have been or will be inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Being high-profile doesn’t seem to hurt in the selection process.

5 Chiefs Bears

4 Steelers Bengals

3 Chargers Cowboys Dolphins

2 Cardinals Colts Vikings Eagles Redskins Seahawks

1 Jaguars Falcons Texans Panthers Saints Jets Ravens Giants 49ers Broncos Buccaneers Raiders Oilers

0 Browns Lions Titans Patriots Bills Packers Rams

16 QB

07 LB, WR & TE

06 DL

05 DB, RB, OL

02 PK 

Steve Wright, a 12-year NFL tackle, was the inspiration for the hulking figure depicted on the league’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Wright, who now lives in Augusta, penned a Ball Four-like memoir entitled “I’d Rather be Wright.” 

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/02/sports/football/lineman-steve-wright-was-model-for-walter-payton-award.html?smid=em-share