The 2022-2023 NFL Honors has announced their Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner. After narrowing the group down to 32 — a representative from each team –, only one can be bestowed with arguably the highest honor of the night. Who won this year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and what did they do to earn the trophy?
Dak Prescott Wins Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award has been given to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Prescott’s long been recognized for his openness in speaking on mental health and his overall charitable efforts. This was his second year as the Cowboys’ man of the year nominee and his third overall.
Among Prescott’s charitable ventures is the creation of his Faith Fight Finish (FFF) Foundation, which focuses on colon cancer research, mental health, and suicide prevention.
MORE: 2023 NFL Honors Results: List of 2022-2023 NFL Awards Winners
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is presented annually by the NFL to honor a player’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as his excellence on the field.
Before 1999, the award was simply called the NFL Man of the Year Award. Shortly after Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton passed away (having been the 1977 recipient himself), the award was renamed to honor his legacy as a humanitarian.
NFL.com describes the award as, “Typically the last award of the evening, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is presented to a player in recognition of his ‘outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on it.’”
Previous Walter Payton Man of the Year Winners
Last season, Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth won the award. Whitworth launched the “Big Whit Homes for L.A. Families” program at the beginning of the 2021 season. Additionally, he pledged to donate $20,000 after each Rams home game.
Alongside the new program, Whitworth made donations to repair houses in Louisiana (his home state) and moved Los Angeles citizens with housing insecurity into affordable living spaces.
- 2020: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
- 2019: Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2018: Chris Long, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2017: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans