Tag: Walter Payton Man of the Year

Cameron Heyward calls Man of the Year award ‘the greatest honor of my life’

Cameron Heyward finally won Walter Payton Man of the Year after six nominations.

After six nominations, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward finally won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award this year. This was his third straight year as a finalist.

Heyward sent out the tweet below noting that he considered the award the greatest honor of his life. Heyward was given then the award during the NFL Honors, and an official presentation was done at the Super Bowl.

Heyward does a tremendous number of good works through The Heyward House, his organization. Here is a great description of what they do from their official site:

​The passion that Cam shows on the field doesn’t stop when his uniform comes off. It is actually the other way around – Cameron carries the passion he feels about life onto the field with him.
At the core of Cam’s heart are kids – whether it’s visiting with children who have serious medical conditions, taking kids shopping for winter clothes, or sending birthday presents and cards to kids who rarely get celebrated. He knows that every kid needs to have one person who is in their corner, rooting for them at all times.

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T.J. Watt, Mike Tomlin shout-out Cam Heyward for winning Walter Payton Man of the Year

Congratulations to Cam Heyward on his well-deserved honor!

For six of Cam Heyward’s 13 years in the NFL, he’s been nominated to represent the Pittsburgh Steelers in the quest for the league’s highest honor, the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

This year he finally did it! His head coach, teammates and family each took to social media to congratulate Heyward on the achievement.

Steelers DT Cam Heyward receives NFL’s highest honor: Walter Payton Man of the Year

Cam Heyward wins the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

It was five years coming, but the media finally got it right when they voted Cam Heyward the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

This was Heyward’s sixth time being nominated to represent the Pittsburgh Steelers in his 13-year career. The award, considered the league’s highest honor, recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service.

And Heyward’s service to the Pittsburgh community is vast. His efforts are primarily inspired by his father, former NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. Cam was just 16 when his father died of brain cancer at age 39.

Perhaps the most significant endeavor is Heyward’s foundation, The Heyward House, which was launched in 2015. Its causes include combatting childhood hunger, fighting cancer, aiding childhood literacy and supporting students and teachers.

“Ever since I’ve been a Pittsburgh Steeler, I’ve always thought god and my dad had a plan for me, and I’m living it right now,” Heyward said during his acceptance speech on Thursday night. “I want to say thank you to the Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me this opportunity.”

“When I talk about my dad, he wore No. 34, and he’s been with me the entire time, he’s been with me every step of the way,” he said. “But I know there was another 34 that was helping me, this man Walter Payton. He’s done so much on and off the field, and he’s changed so many lives, that now I have the opportunity to be part of such a great fraternity in the Walter Payton finalists and winners.

“I know I can carry this on and take the rock. I can’t run as fast as Walter, and I won’t try, but I’ll make sure I do my part. I want to give a big shout out to every nominee, every winner here today. There’s no act too small, there’s no act too big, we are all trying to make a difference in so many people’s lives.”

Heyward knows his work doesn’t end with the honor he’s received.

“I continue to keep doing the work, as I will. This award is great, and I appreciate it, but I understand I’ve got more work to do. I’ve got to make sure I represent this man every day going forward. And so I ask you guys, my brothers, keep doing the work, keep being the positive role models you are. I know it’s not always pretty, I know a lot of people like to talk about the other stuff, but you guys are the change, you guys are making a difference, and I’m just thankful for that.”

Each of the 32 nominees was awarded a $40,000 donation for the charity of their choice, but for his abundant efforts and earning the title NFL Man of the Year, Heyward will receive a $250,000 donation in his name.

Heyward is the fifth Steeler to have been voted NFL Man of the Year, joining Franco Harris (1976), Joe Greene (1979), Lynn Swann (1981) and Jerome Bettis (2002) — each with a bust in the Hall of Fame.

Perhaps that’s Heyward’s next step.

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Cameron Heyward is your Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner

Cameron Heyward is the winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

The Walter Payton Man of the Year went to Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was presented his award Thursday at NFL Honors by Prince Harry.

Heyward then delivered a passionate and emotional speech.

Ted Karras and Ken Anderson team up to help adults with disabilities

Amazing work from Ted Karras and a Bengals legend.

Cincinnati Bengals nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year and former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson are teaming up this offseason for a very good cause.

Karras has partnered with the Ken Anderson Alliance to create a residential community for adults with disabilities. The project aims to build affordable housing where there will be employment opportunities, social activities and more to help ensure a good quality of life.

Anderson and Karras got together to celebrate their partnership at The Holy Grail in Cincinnati on Jan. 18, where a fundraiser was held to help with costs for the project.

It aligns well with what has made Karras the nominee for the man of the year award since the sales of his famous Cincy hat all go to the Village of Merici for developmentally disabled adults in Indianapolis, where Karras is from.

“I haven’t been this excited about a project like this in a long time,” Anderson said at the fundraiser, via Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “I know a lot of you have been disappointed we couldn’t have done something earlier, but now it will become a reality and I can’t thank Ted and Zach enough for making this all happen.”

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Ted Karras wins Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge fan vote

A big win for Bengals OL Ted Karras.

Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge after a long fan voting process, becoming the first Bengals player to do so.

With the win, he will have $35,000 awarded to his charity partner, the Village of Merici, which provides opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in his hometown of Indianapolis.

Karras became the Bengals nominee because of his signature Cincy hat which he started selling in 2022. Since then he has had more than $800,000 in sales, with more than $325,000 going to the Village of Merici. Karras has also matched $100,000 in donations since then.

Karras is a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award which will be announced Feb. 8 during NFL Honors. If he wins the award, he will get an additional $250,000 donation for the charity of his choice.

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Ted Karras is Bengals nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

A huge moment for Ted Karras.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominees have been announced and the Cincinnati Bengals player nominated is Ted Karras.

The award is given to a player who not only excels on the field but also gives back to his community and has a positive impact outside of football as well.

Karras started selling his Cincy Hat in 2022 which featured Bengals colors and claw marks. In the year since the website was launched, it has raised over $800,000 in sales with all proceeds past $325,000 going to Village of Merici.

Village of Merici is based in Karras’ hometown of Indianapolis and is a non-profit living community and service provider for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which he has been closely involved with as a donor, fundraiser and event host since 2016.

“I’m truly honored,” Karras said. “I’m so grateful to be a part of Village of Merici and grateful to everyone in the Cincinnati community. I can’t believe how this project turned into something like this. What a very humbling experience.”

When Cincy Hat started, Karras matched $100,000 in donations and hat orders, and since then it has expanded to selling shirts, visors and onesies to go along with the original hats.

“The financial support The Cincy Hat project has provided Village of Merici is incredible,” Colleen Renie, Village of Merici Executive Director said. “This project has become 10 times larger than any other fundraiser we have throughout the year. It’s given us the ability to think bigger and reach more adults in need. We have a large waitlist of adults in need of services, and we’ve been able to hire more coaches and serve more people with this new income stream.”

Each team in the NFL had a player nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and each of them will be honored in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, with the winner being announced during the NFL Honors on Feb. 8 on CBS. The winner will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

Fans can vote for Walter Payton Man of the Year here, or by posting on Twitter with #WPMOYChallenge included in the post along with the name of the player they would like to vote for.

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Broncos nominate Garett Bolles for Walter Payton Man of the Year award

Congrats to Broncos LT Garett Bolles for being nominated for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award!

The Denver Broncos named left tackle Garett Bolles the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee on Tuesday.

This is Bolles’ first nomination for the award, which is given annually to the player who displays excellence on and off the field. Bolles’ work with Colorado and Utah youth with learning disabilities and youth in Colorado detention centers among other community outreach highlights the leader he is on and off the field.

Bolles finds himself in great company, with several former Broncos teammates who have been recipients of the honor. In 1992, Denver Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway won the award; in 2005, fellow Hall of Famer Peyton Manning received the award as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, and current Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson won the award during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks in 2020.

Each nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award gets to wear a helmet decal for the rest of the season in recognition of the honor. Those who win the award, like Wilson, get to wear a jersey patch with a silhouette of the award.

Last year, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott won the award.

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WATCH: Terry McLaurin learns he’s Commanders’ Walter Payton Award nominee

Terry McLaurin gets emotional learning he’s Washington’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

On Tuesday, Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin was selected as Washington’s 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is given annually to an NFL player who excels both on and off the field. McLaurin has been a constant presence in the DMV community since he was drafted in 2019 and has been Washington’s most popular player since his arrival.

The Commanders shared how McLaurin learned he was the Payton Award nominee, bringing him to tears.

McLaurin was sitting in a room at the team’s Ashburn headquarters, waiting for what he thought was an interview with Washington legend Santana Moss — now employed by the team.

Instead of Moss, McLaurin’s girlfriend, Caitlin, entered the room and informed McLaurin he was Washington’s nominee.

McLaurin then explained why this meant so much.

Terry McLaurin is a great football player. He’s an even better human being. It’s easy to see why he is so beloved by Washington fans and the DMV community.

Anthony Walker Jr. named Browns’ nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Captain Anthony Walker Jr. was announced as the Cleveland Browns nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Cleveland Browns linebacker and captain Anthony Walker Jr. was announced as the team’s nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The Walter Payton Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the NFL. The award is given to the player who made the most positive impact in their community.

Walker became an important figure in the Browns’ Stay In The Game, the flagship program of the Cleveland Browns Foundation. Stay In The Game! supports students staying in school and combats chronic absenteeism in the community. In September, Walker hosted a Back to School event at Shaker Heights Middle School where he distributed over 100 backpacks and school supplies to students. Afterward, he treated the students to ice cream. 

Walker showed further support for Stay In The Game! when he dedicated his cleats from My Cause, My Cleats to the organization. Walker took drawings from elementary school students and incorporated them into a design for the cleats he wore during the Broncos’ game.

During Thanksgiving week, Walker celebrated students for their attendance by awarding them with a Turkey Bowl tournament and a Thanksgiving meal.

Walker will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal for the rest of the season. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be announced during the NFL Honors program on Thursday, Feb 8.  Each nominee will receive a 55-thousand-dollar donation, and the winner will receive a 250-thousand-dollar donation to a charity of their choice. 

Walker is doing important work in Northeast Ohio and it’s good to see him get recognized by the league. Teams are at their best when leaders on the field are trying to contribute even more off the field. The team was very proud of Walker for being named the nominee. Watch below as Greg Newsome II informs Walker he is the nominee.

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