NFL: 2008 Walter Payton Man Of The Year

Cardinals QB Kurt Warner Named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
02/01/2009

CARDINALS QB KURT WARNER NAMED WALTER PAYTON

NFL MAN OF THE YEAR

Arizona Cardinals QB KURT WARNER was named the 2008 WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR, it was announced today.

The announcement was made on-field at Raymond James Stadium live on NBC before kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII. NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL and Connie Payton, the late Walter Payton’s wife, presented Warner with the award, the only league recognition that acknowledges a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.

For all of his on-field accomplishments, including a Super Bowl XXXIV win, two NFL Most Valuable Player awards and four Pro Bowl selections, Warner’s community work remains his biggest source of pride. After visiting flood-ravaged regions in 2008, he created a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to sponsor home builds throughout the Midwest. To date, he has raised over $650,000, including a $100,000 personal contribution, $100,000 from his foundation, and $100,000 each from the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL Disaster Relief Fund. Warner established the First Things First Foundation in 2001 and has personally contributed more than $1.5 million since then to fund trips for Make-A-Wish families, home builds for underprivileged families, and Punt, Pass and Kick clinics with Special Olympians. Warner is an active participant in both league-wide and team-based community programs, including NFL Network’s Keep Gym in School initiative and the NFL PLAY 60/American Heart Association What Moves U in-school fitness program.

“I am humbled the Lord has given me such an amazing life to impact others,” said Warner. “Of all the awards given to NFL athletes, the Walter Payton Man of the Year is the one that stands out above the rest to me because of what it represents. When people look back at my career I want them to see a fierce competitor, but more importantly, I want to be remembered for my consistency of character and the legacy I hope to leave through my First Things First Foundation.”

Warner joins an esteemed list of winners of the annual award, including 17 Pro Football Hall of Famers. Recent winners of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award include JASON TAYLOR of the Washington Redskins (2007), DREW BREES of the New Orleans Saints and LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON of the San Diego Chargers, co-winners in 2006 and PEYTON MANNING of the Indianapolis Colts (2005). A complete list of winners is below.

This year, Warner was among three finalists for the award, including Vikings C MATT BIRK and Eagles FS BRIAN DAWKINS. Finalists were chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from the 32 team nominees for the award, all of whom receive a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The three finalists will receive an additional $5,000 donation in their name. The selection panel is comprised of NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL, former NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE, Pro Football Hall of Famer ANTHONY MUÑOZ, Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King, football greats FRANK GIFFORD and JACK KEMP, CONNIE PAYTON and 2007 winner JASON TAYLOR.

The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will receive the Gladiator statue, an original art creation by the noted sculptor, DANIEL SCHWARTZ. In addition, the player’s favorite charity will receive a $20,000 donation in his name.

WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS

YEAR
PLAYER, POSITION
TEAM

2008
Kurt Warner, Quarterback
Arizona Cardinals

2007
Jason Taylor, Defensive End
Miami Dolphins

2006
Drew Brees, QB (N.O.) and LaDainian Tomlinson, RB (S.D.)

2005
Peyton Manning, Quarterback
Indianapolis Colts

2004
Warrick Dunn, Running Back
Atlanta Falcons

2003
Will Shields, Guard
Kansas City Chiefs

2002
Troy Vincent, Defensive Back
Philadelphia Eagles

2001
Jerome Bettis, Running Back
Pittsburgh Steelers

2000
Derrick Brooks (Tampa) and Jim Flanigan (Chicago)

1999
Cris Carter, Wide Receiver
Minnesota Vikings

1998
Dan Marino, Quarterback
Miami Dolphins

1997
Troy Aikman, Quarterback
Dallas Cowboys

1996
Darrell Green, Cornerback
Washington Redskins

1995
Boomer Esiason, Quarterback
New York Jets

1994
Junior Seau, Linebacker
San Diego Chargers

1993
Derrick Thomas, Linebacker
Kansas City Chiefs

1992
John Elway, Quarterback
Denver Broncos

1991
Anthony Munoz, Tackle
Cincinnati Bengals

1990
Mike Singletary, Linebacker
Chicago Bears

1989
Warren Moon, Quarterback
Houston Oilers

1988
Steve Largent, Wide Receiver
Seattle Seahawks

1987
Dave Duerson, Safety
Chicago Bears

1986
Reggie Williams, Linebacker
Cincinnati Bengals

1985
Dwight Stephenson, Center
Miami Dolphins

1984
Marty Lyons, Tackle
New York Jets

1983
Rolf Benirschke, Kicker
San Diego Chargers

1982
Joe Theismann, Quarterback
Washington Redskins

1981
Lynn Swann, Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers

1980
Harold Carmichael, Wide Receiver
Philadelphia Eagles

1979
Joe Greene, Defensive Lineman
Pittsburgh Steelers

1978
Roger Staubach, Quarterback
Dallas Cowboys

1977
Walter Payton, Running Back
Chicago Bears

1976
Franco Harris, Running Back
Pittsburgh Steelers

1975
Ken Anderson, Quarterback
Cincinnati Bengals

1974
George Blanda, Quarterback
Oakland Raiders

1973
Len Dawson, Quarterback
Kansas City Chiefs

1972
Willie Lanier, Linebacker
Kansas City Chiefs

1971
John Hadl, Quarterback
San Diego Chargers

1970
Johnny Unitas, Quarterback
Baltimore Colts

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