Not every NFL honor is about yards, touchdowns or trophies.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes impact that extends beyond the field, honoring a player whose commitment to community service and philanthropy matches his dedication to the game.
The award will be presented Thursday night at NFL Honors in San Francisco.
Who won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award at NFL Honors 2026?
Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Wagner’s mother died when he was in college at Utah State and he’s honored her with the Phenia Mae Fund, which supports stroke awareness, education and patient care.
Wagner has been a national advocate for stroke awareness and patient support, expanding his impact in 2025 by helping fund pediatric stroke care and research at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. He has also invested in youth empowerment and education, using initiatives like his Tackle Everything Tech Tour to expose students to careers in technology and entrepreneurship.
Wagner, 35, finished fifth in the NFL with 162 tackles in 2025.
What is the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award?
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is the league’s most prestigious humanitarian honor, recognizing a player’s excellence on the field and dedication to community impact.
Each of the NFL’s 32 teams nominates one player each season. One league-wide winner is selected from that group.
The award was originally known as the NFL Man of the Year award from 1970 until 1999, when it was renamed in honor of Hall of Famer Walter Payton, who won the award in 1977.
What does the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner receive?
The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award receives up to $250,000 in donations to a charity of his choice.
Each of the 32 nominees receives up to $40,000 to support a nonprofit organization of their choosing.
Nominees wear a Walter Payton Man of the Year silhouette helmet decal during the season, and the league winner earns the right to wear the Man of the Year patch for the remainder of his NFL career.
When is the Walter Payton Man of the Year announced?
The 2026 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5, held at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
The honoree will also be recognized on the field ahead of Super Bowl 60.
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees for the 2025 season
Here are the 32 nominees, one from each NFL team.
Who won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year last season?
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award at last year’s NFL Honors ceremony.
What is the Walter Payton Man of the Year logo?
The Walter Payton Man of the Year logo features a football player standing alone on the sideline wearing a flowing cape.
The design is based on a sculpture titled “The Gladiator,” created in 1969 by artist Daniel Bennett Schwartz. The image symbolizes strength, sacrifice and service beyond the game.
Man of the Year winners by year
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Walter Payton Man of the Year 2026: Bobby Wagner wins NFL’s top humanitarian award
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
