The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is presented annually by the National Football League (NFL) honoring a player's commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as his excellence on the field. Prior to 1999, it was called simply the NFL Man of the Year Award. Shortly after Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton died, the award was renamed to honor his legacy as a humanitarian.
Walter Payton rushing the ball against the New Orleans Saints on October 7, 1984, the day he broke Jim Brown's record for both 100-yard games and overall rushing yardage
J. J. Watt, the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year award recipient. The special uniform patch is visible.
Larry Fitzgerald, 2016 co-recipient, with team captain uniform patch (player's right), and Man of the Year patch (player's left).
Walter Payton
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Walter Jerry Payton was an American professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. Nicknamed "Sweetness", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time.
Payton (34) pictured breaking the NFL's career rushing record on October 7, 1984.
Payton's Super Bowl Ring (won in Super Bowl XX)
The Walter Payton Center at Halas Hall within the Chicago Bears HQ.