Walter Payton Man of the Year Winners

The NFL releases the list of past Walter Payton Man of the Year winners, celebrating the league's top community leaders.

In 2023, the Defensive Lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers was Cameron Heyward. The quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 was Dak Prescott, while the L.A. Rams had Andrew Whitworth as their Tackle in 2021. Russell Wilson was the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020, and Calais Campbell played as the Defensive End for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. Chris Long was the Defensive End for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, and J.J. Watt played the same position for the Houston Texans in 2017. In 2016, Eli Manning and Larry Fitzgerald played for the NY Giants and Arizona respectively. Anquan Boldin was the Wide Receiver for the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, and Thomas Davis was the Linebacker for the Carolina Panthers in 2014. Charles Tillman was the Defensive Back for the Chicago Bears in 2013, and Jason Witten played as the Tight End for the Dallas Cowboys in 2012. Matt Birk was the Center for the Baltimore Ravens in 2011, and Madieu Williams played as the Safety for the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. Brian Waters was the Guard for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009, and Kurt Warner was the quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. In 2007, Jason Taylor played as the Defensive End for the Miami Dolphins, and in 2006, Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson played for the N.O. and S.D. respectively. Peyton Manning was the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in 2005, and Warrick Dunn was the Running Back for the Atlanta Falcons in 2004. Will Shields was the Guard for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003, and Troy Vincent was the Defensive Back for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002. In 2001, Jerome Bettis was the Running Back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Derrick Brooks and Jim Flanigan played as a Linebacker and Defensive Tackle for Tampa and Chicago in 2000. Cris Carter was the Wide Receiver for the Minnesota Vikings in 1999, and Dan Marino was the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins in 1998. In 1997, Troy Aikman played as the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, and in 1996, Darrell Green was the Cornerback for the Washington Redskins. Boomer Esiason was the quarterback for the New York Jets in 1995, and Junior Seau played as the Linebacker for the San Diego Chargers in 1994. Derrick Thomas was the Linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993, and John Elway was the quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 1992. Anthony Munoz was the Tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1991, and Mike Singletary played as the Linebacker for the Chicago Bears in 1990. Warren Moon was the quarterback for the Houston Oilers in 1989, while Steve Largent was the Wide Receiver for the Seattle Seahawks in 1988. Dave Duerson was the Safety for the Chicago Bears in 1987, and Reggie Williams played as the Linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1986. In 1985, Dwight Stephenson was the Center for the Miami Dolphins, and Marty Lyons was the Tackle for the New York Jets in 1984. Rolf Benirschke was the Kicker for the San Diego Chargers in 1983, and Joe Theismann was the quarterback for the Washington Redskins in 1982. Lynn Swann was the Wide Receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1981, and Harold Carmichael played the same position for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1980. Joe Greene was the Defensive Lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1979, and Roger Staubach was the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in 1978. In 1977, Walter Payton was the Running Back for the Chicago Bears, and Franco Harris played the same position for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976. Ken Anderson was the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975, and George Blanda was the quarterback for the Oakland Raiders in 1974. Len Dawson was the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973, and Willie Lanier was the Linebacker for the same team in 1972. In 1971, John Hadl played as the quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, and Johnny Unitas was the quarterback for the Baltimore Colts in 1970.

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