This day in football · September 16, 1923: Ironwood Legion visited the Duluth Kelleys at Duluth Athletic Park. Duluth Kelleys 7, Ironwood Legion 0. W1923 NFL season↗

From the vault · December 26, 1964 · 1964 AFL Championship Game: The Buffalo Bills beat the San Diego Chargers 20–7 at War Memorial Stadium to win the 1964 AFL championship. Box score

Walter Payton Man of the Year

1970–2025 · 59 awarded to 59 people

Latest (2025)

Bobby Wagner

First (1970)

Johnny Unitas

Winners

Year	Winner	Pos	Team
2025	Bobby Wagner	Linebacker	Washington Commanders
2024	Arik Armstead	Defensive end	Jacksonville Jaguars
2023	Cameron Heyward	Defensive tackle	Pittsburgh Steelers
2022	Dak Prescott	Quarterback	Dallas Cowboys
2021	Andrew Whitworth	Offensive tackle	Los Angeles Rams
2020	Russell Wilson	Quarterback	Seattle Seahawks
2019	Calais Campbell	Defensive end	Jacksonville Jaguars
2018	Chris Long	Defensive end	Philadelphia Eagles
2017	J. J. Watt	Defensive end	Houston Texans
2016	Eli Manning	Quarterback	New York Giants
2016	Larry Fitzgerald	Wide receiver	Arizona Cardinals
2015	Anquan Boldin	Wide receiver	San Francisco 49ers
2014	Thomas Davis Sr.	Linebacker	Carolina Panthers
2013	Charles Tillman	Cornerback	Chicago Bears
2012	Jason Witten	Tight end	Dallas Cowboys
2011	Matt Birk	Center	Baltimore Ravens
2010	Madieu Williams	Safety	Minnesota Vikings
2009	Brian Waters	Offensive guard	Kansas City Chiefs
2008	Kurt Warner	Quarterback	Arizona Cardinals
2007	Jason Taylor	Defensive end	Miami Dolphins
2006	Drew Brees	Quarterback	New Orleans Saints
2006	LaDainian Tomlinson	Running back	San Diego Chargers
2005	Peyton Manning	Quarterback	Indianapolis Colts
2004	Warrick Dunn	Running back	Atlanta Falcons
2003	Will Shields	Offensive guard	Kansas City Chiefs
2002	Troy Vincent	Cornerback	Philadelphia Eagles
2001	Jerome Bettis	Running back	Pittsburgh Steelers
2000	Derrick Brooks	Linebacker	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2000	Jim Flanigan	Defensive tackle	Chicago Bears
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 Muñoz	Offensive 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	Defensive 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 tackle	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

🏈 Arcade

Walter Payton Man of the Year

Winners