When Is The Walter Payton Award Given?

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By Walter Payton

The Walter Payton Award is the most prestigious award given to players. However, when the Walter Payton Award is given is a big concern for many novice players or fans. 

So, without further ado let’s dig in and find out when is the Walter Payton Award Given and who were the previous winners of it. 

What Is the Walter Payton Award?

Walter Payton’s Man of the Year award is one of the most prestigious and honorable awards given to players. It was first presented in 1970 to honor and credit players for their on- and off-field outstanding performances. Before 1999, it was simply named the NFL Man of the Year Award. 

The award trophy was designed in 1969 by the artist Daniel Bennett Schwartz. The trophy does not symbolize a specific person. It is given as in respect and contribution of any player in any team whether he is in the spotlight or not.  The winner is awarded due to his outstanding contribution and awareness of the community of any aspect close to his heart. 

Annually, 32 players from different teams are nominated for the award. The panel of judges who select the winner also includes last year’s award winner and the NFL commissioner. 

The National Football League sponsors all the funds and the amount the winner and nominees receive. The winner is awarded a trophy and $250,000 for the charity of their choice. However, the nominees also receive an endowment of $50,000. 

Since 2017 previous winners and nominees active in the league must wear league batches and helmets on their uniforms to represent the trophy. 

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Currently, active winners of the league are;

  • Russell Wilson
  • Dak Prescott
  • Calais Campbell
  • Cameron Hayword

When is the Walter Payton Award given?

There are actually two awards named after Walter Payton:

  • The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is given annually by the National Football League (NFL). It honors a player’s volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field. The winner is typically announced in early February, during the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
  • The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding offensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of college football. The winner is typically announced in December or January.

2023 Nominees and Winners:

Team Nominees 
Arizona CardinalsJonathan Ledbetter
Atlanta Falcons Bradley Pinion
Baltimore Ravens Roquan Smith 
Buffalo Bills Dion Dawkins
Carolina PanthersBradley Bozeman 
Chicago Bears Justin Jones 
Cincinnati BengalsTed Karras 
Cleveland Browns Anthony Walker Jr.
Dallas CowboysDeMarcus Lawrence 
Denver Broncos Garett Bolles 
Detriot LionsFrank Ragnow 
Green Bay Packers De’Vondre Campbell
Houston Texan Jon Weeks 
Indianapolis Colts Zaire Franklin 
Jacksonville Jaguars Dawuane Smoot
Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes II
Las Vegas Riders Maxx Crosby 
Los Angeles Chargers Drewin James Jr
Los Angeles RamsCooper Kupp
Miami Dolphins Alec Ingold 
Minnesota Vikings Harrison Phillips 
New England Patriots Jonathan Jones 
New England Saint Tyrann Mathieu 
New York Giants Saquon Barkley 
New York Jets Solomon Thomas 
Philadelphia Eagles Lane Johnson 
Pittsburgh SteelersCameron Heyward 
San Francisco 49ersArik Armstead 
Seattle Seahawks Bobby Wagner 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Antonie Winfield Jr 
Tennessee Titans Jeffery Simmons 
Washington Commands Terry McLaurin 

2023 Winner: 

Cameron Hayword from Bittsburg won the Walter Payton Man of The Year Award.

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Previous Winners of the Walter Payton Man of The Year Award:

Following is the list of players who had previously won Walter Payton Man of the Year. 

Year Player Team 
1970Johnny UnitasBaltimore Colts
1971JohnHadlSan Diego Chargers
1972Willie LanierKansas City Chiefs
1973Len DawsonKansas City Chiefs
1974George BlandaOakland Raiders
1975Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals
1976Franco Harris Pittsburgh Steeler
1977Walter Payton Chicago Bears
1978Roger StaubachDallas Cowboys
1979Joe GreenePittsburgh Steeler 
1980Harlod CarmichealPhiladelphia Eagles
1981Lynn SwannPittsburgh Steelers
1982Joe TheismannWashington Redshiks
1983Rolf BenirschkeSan Deigo Chargers
1984Marty LyonsNew York Jets
1985Dwight Stephenson Miami Dolphins 
1986Reggie WilliamsCincinnati Bengals
1987Dave Duerson Chicago Bears
1988Steve Largent Seattle Seahawks
1989Warren MoonHouston Oilers
1990Mike SingletaryChicago Bears
1991Anthony MunozCincinnati Bengals
1992John ElwayDenver Broncos
1993Derrick Thomas Kansan City Chiefs
1994Junior SeauSan Deigo Chargers
1995Boomer EsiasonNew York Jets 
1996Darrel GreenWashington Redskins
1997Troy AikmanDallas Cowboys
1998Dan MarinoMiami Dolphins 
1999Cris CarterMinnesota Vikings 
2000Derrick BrooksTampa Bay Buccaneers
2001Jerome BettisPittsburgh Steeler 
2002Troy VincentPhiladelphia Eagles
2003Will ShieldsKansas City Chiefs 
2004Warrick DunnAtlanta Falcons 
2005Payton ManningIndianapolis Colts
2006Drew Brees & LaDanina TomlinsonSan Deigo Chargers/ New Orleans Saints
2007Jason Taylor Miami Dolphins 
2008Kurt Warner Arizona Cardinals 
2009Brain WatersKansas City Chiefs
2010Madeiu WilliamsMinnesota Vikings 
2011Matt BirkBaltimore Ravens
2012Jason Witten Dallas Cowboys
2013Charles TillmanChicago Bears
2014Thomas Davis SrCarolina Panthers
2015Anquan Boldin San Francisco 49ers
2016Larry Fitzgerald & Eli ManningArizona Cardinals / New York Giants
2017J.J. WattHouston Texans
2018Chris LongPhiladelphia Eagles
2019Calais CampbellJacksonville Jaguars
2020Russell WilsonSeattle Seahawks
2021Andrew WhitworthLos Angeles Rams
2022Dak PrescottDallas Cowboys
2023Cameron HaywordPittsburgh Steelers

Final Verdict:

From Walter Payton’s journey, we conclude that if you are sincere with yourself only, you can achieve whatever you want. There will be no obstacles in front of you. You can overcome all your weaknesses, whether they are in the form of color, height, language, or any other. 

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Your silent struggle will make a sound in the form of success. You will succeed in a way that people will change their legacy for you. As the NFL changed the award name in honor and to maintain the legacy of Walter Payton. 

So do not lose hope, motivate yourself and you will succeed one day. 

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