History of the NFL Man of the Year Award

This site was made to celebrate the good guys in sports. It is important to recognize people for doing the right thing and acting the right way. That is what the NFL Man of the Year is supposed to do with some special NFL football players. This post will acknowledge all those that have won this award during this century, share some information about each individual and link their charities if you want to know more about them. Heck, you may even want to donate to one of these excellent organizations.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is presented each year and it honors players for work on and off the field. It was named after Walter Payton starting in 2000, prior to that it was just the NFL Man of the Year. Let's look back at these great players who are better people.

2019 NFL Man of the Year

Calais Campbell

DE Jacksonville Jaguars

Campbell is an active player since 2008, he was traded to the Ravens this offseason
5x Pro Bowler
3x All-Pro
Campbell has 2 Jaguars team records
Started CRC Foundation to teach critical life skills to young people

2018 NFL Man of the Year

Chris Long

DE Philadelphia Eagles

Played from 2008-2018

2x Super Bowl Champion

2007 ACC Defensive Player of the Year

Raised 1.3 Million in 2017 for charity through Pledge 10 for tomorrow.

With his Chris Long Foundation, Long tries to turn obstacles into opportunities, including helping people during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

2017 NFL Man of the Year

JJ Watt

DE Houston Texans

2011-Present

5x Pro Bowler

5x 1st Team All-Pro

3x Defensive Player of the Year

3 Texan franchise records

Raised 37 million for victims of Hurricane Harvey including donating 100,000 himself

President of Justin J. Watt Foundation which provides after school opportunities to children

2016 NFL Man of the Year (Tie)

Eli Manning 

QB New York Giants

2004-2019

2x Super Bowl MVP

4x Pro Bowler

Works with American Red Cross, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, March of Dimes, and more

Started Eli and Abby Manning's Children's Clinics

https://www.umc.edu/Childrens/Eli-Manning-Childrens-Clinics/Eli-Manning-Childrens-Clinics.html

2016 NFL Man of the Year (Tie)

Larry Fitzgerald

WR Arizona Cardinals

Fitzgerald is an active receiver for the Cardinals and has played since 2004

Fitzgerald is a minority owner of the Phoenix Suns

11x Pro Bowler

3x All-Pro

2x NFL reception leader

2x NFL receiving TDs leader

17,083 career receiving yards

120 career receiving TDs

2003 Heisman runner up at Pittsburgh

Holds 25 NFL records and more than 40 Cardinals franchise records

Fitzgerald has numerous charity initiatives led by his first down fund

Larry's First Down Fund is designed to promote reading proficiency and technology access for K-12 youth and support efforts to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Fitzgerald has long been the NFL spokesperson for the fight against cancer.

2015 NFL Man of the Year

Anquan Boldin

WR San Francisco 49ers

Boldin played from 2003-2017 in the NFL

3x Pro Bowler

Super Bowl Champion

National Champion 1999

Boldin attended Florida State University and was the 3rd Seminole to win the NFL Man of the Year Award.
Boldin had 13,779 career receiving yards
Boldin had 82 career receiving touchdowns
He has 5 NFL receiving records and 3 more records for the Cardinals along with one additional Ravens receiving record
Won the award for work with the Q81 Foundation
The Q81 Foundation "is dedicated to expanding the educational and life opportunities of underprivileged children."

2014 NFL Man of the Year

Thomas Davis

LB Carolina Panthers

2005-Present

Davis signed with the Washington Redskins in 2020

Recovered from 3 major ACL tears

3x Pro Bowler

2x All-Pro

Founded Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation TDDDF

TDDDF aims to educate, empower, and defend dreams of underprivileged families

2013 NFL Man of the Year

Charles Tillman

DB Chicago Bears

2003-2015

2x Pro Bowler

1x All-Pro

3x Brian Piccolo Award

Tillman's Cornerstone Foundation helps improve lives of critically and chronically ill children

Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation

2012 NFL Man of the Year

Jason Witten

TE Dallas Cowboys

2003-2017, 2019-Present

11x Pro Bowler

4x All-Pro

Jason Witten's Score Foundation helps victims of domestic violence

https://jasonwitten82.com/foundation/

2011 NFL Man of the Year

Matt Birk

C Baltimore Ravens

1998-2012

6x Pro Bowler

2x All-Pro

Super Bowl Champion

6x Vikings Man of the Year

Named 6th smartest athlete by Sporting News in 2010

Established HIKE foundation which aims to impact lives of at-risk children

HIKE Foundation

2010 NFL Man of the Year

Madieu Williams

S Minnesota Vikings

2004-2012

Madieu Williams Foundation focuses on health and wellness

Madieu Williams Foundation

2009 NFL Man of the Year

Brian Waters

G Kansas City Chiefs

1993-2013
6x Pro Bowl
3x All-Pro
The Brian Waters 54 Foundation helps underprivileged kids. Unfortunately, I could not find a link.

2008 NFL Man of the Year

Kurt Warner 

QB Arizona Cardinals

1994-2009

Hall of Famer

2x NFL  MVP

Super Bowl MVP

4x Pro Bowl

2x All-Pro

10 NFL Passing Records and shares several other records

Founded First Things First Foundation which pays for a week long trip to Walt Disney World for dozens of kids each year

First Things First

2007 NFL Man of the Year

Jason Taylor

DE Miami Dolphins

1997-2011

6x Pro Bowler

4x All-Pro

2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

The Jason Taylor Foundation Assists South Florida Children in need

Jason Taylor Foundation

2006 NFL Man of the Year (tie)

Drew Brees

QB New Orleans Saints

2001-Present

13 Time Pro Bowler

Super Bowl Champion

5x All-Pro

2010 SI Sportsman of Year

7x NFL Passing Leader

10 major NFL records including most passing yards and touchdowns all-time

Brees really helped reinvigorate New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina

The Brees Dream Foundation aims to improve the life of cancer patients

http://drewbrees.com/

2006 NFL Man of the Year (tie)

LaDanian Tomlinson

RB San Diego Chargers

2001-2011

Hall of Famer

5x Pro Bowl

6x All-Pro

#21 retired by Chargers

2006 NFL MVP

Numerous NFL Rushing Records

His charity is called Team America and aims to lead the country to a new standard of tolerance

2005 NFL Man of the Year

Peyton Manning

QB Indianapolis Colts

1998-2015

14x Pro Bowler

10x All-Pro

5x NFL MVP

Numerous NFL Passing Records

Assisted with Hurricane Katrina relief with brother Eli

The Peyback Foundation aims for future success of disadvantaged youth

2004 NFL Man of the Year

Warrick Dunn

RB Atlanta Falcons

1997-2001

3x Pro Bowler 1997 Rookie of the Year

Atlanta Falcons ring of honor

1993 National Champion with Florida State

3x First Team All-ACC

Dunn challenged NFL players to donate $5,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief and raised 5 million dollars

Founded Athletes For Hope with several professional athletes to help people get involved in charitable causes.

In October, Warrick Dunn helped deliver his 173rd home to a single parent through his Home for the Holidays program

One of the recipients of the Home for the Holidays program was Texan QB Deshaun Watson's mother

2003 NFL Man of the Year

Will Shields

G Kansas City Chiefs

1993-2006

Hall of Famer

12x Pro Bowler

7x All-Pro

Founded Will 2 Succeed which aims to help those with no access to aid.

2002 NFL Man of the Year

Troy Vincent 

CB Philadelphia Eagles

1992-2006

5x Pro Bowler

2x All-Pro

National Advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault

Love Thy Neighbor Community Development and Opportunity Corporation wants to empower people to build healthier communities.

2001 NFL Man of the Year

Jerome Bettis

RB Pittsburgh Steelers

1993-2005

Hall of Famer

Super Bowl Champion

6x Pro Bowler

3x All-Pro

The Bus Stops Here Foundation aims to improve life for underprivileged youth

2000 NFL Man of the Year (tie)

Derrick Brooks

LB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1995-2008

Hall of Famer

Super Bowl Champion

11x Pro Bowler

9x All-Pro

2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

2006 Pro Bowl MVP

100th Anniversary All-Time Team

2000s All-Decade Team

#55 Retired by Buccaneers

2x All-American

1993 ACC Defensive Player of the Year

1993 National Champion for the Florida State Seminoles

208 consecutive starts for weakside linebacker is an NFL record

Founded Brooks-Debartalo HS in Tampa

Derrick Brooks has numerous charitable endeavors headlined by his Brooks bunch program. That program took kids on trips all over the world.

Now, Derrick Brooks Charities do numerous amazing things in the community

2000 NFL Man of the Year (tie)

Jim Flanigan 

DT Chicago Bears

1994-2003
The James Flanigan Foundation aimed to improve child literacy
There was no available link for the James Flanigan Foundation

- Noland

Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

Whenever a Hall of Fame ballot is released or a group of finalists is revealed, we immediately try to pick apart the candidates and decide who belongs and who does not. Things were no different recently when the group of Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists were announced. I take the task of ranking the finalists (just the players) from least deserving to most deserving. Only the players will be discussed, because I do not believe the other announced candidates really belong. Below are the 14 candidates ranked 14 - 1 and I make a clear line for who I think is a Hall of Famer and who is not...

14. Morten Andersen
Kicker (1982-2007)
0 Super Bowl Titles

Anderson has the career scoring record. That much is absolutely true. He has scored 2, 544 points for his career. That is extraordinary. However, he is still a kicker. He did not impact his team in any meaningful way. The guy was on terrible teams. Do you remember how bad those Saints teams were? Speaking of Saints, he was cut from the Saints in 1994 because he wasn't as accurate anymore. After he was cut from the Saints he made one more Pro Bowl in 1995. Following that pro bowl he was a short range kicker that could not do kickoffs and was no good past 40 yards. Had the current rule for extra points been in place during Andersen's era, he would be nowhere close to that record. He hit one clutch field goal in his entire career. That kick was the one that sent the Falcons to the Super Bowl in early 1998 (however it was only after a series of misses by Vikings kicker Gary Anderson). That game winner was from 39 yards away. What people conveniently forget is that Andersen missed a huge kick in week 17 of the 1996 season which allowed the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars to advance to the playoffs. This guy isn't Adam Vinatieri. The kicks were not clutch. He just had a high volume of kicks. Not a Hall of Famer.

13. Tony Boselli
Offensive Tackle (1995-2002)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Tony Boselli only played 7 seasons as he did not actually play in 2002 for the Texans. He was really good and played at a Hall of Fame level while he played. Only playing 7 seasons though, in my opinion he would have to be absolutely dominant to make the Hall of Fame (as in best at his position). The best tackle during that time was Walter Jones followed by Jonathan Ogden and maybe Orlando Pace. Boselli was 3rd or 4th best in his era. He was just All-Pro 3 times. To top all of this off the Jaguars left him unprotected in the expansion draft and he never even played for the expansion Texans. His career ended being picked in an expansion draft. Not a Hall of Famer.

12. Kurt Warner
Quarterback (1995-2009)
1 Super Bowl Title
Kurt Warner was a fantastic quarterback. He was very effective and was key in bringing two franchises to Super Bowls. That being said, he was best known for being the greatest show on turf QB. Warner was the 5th best player in that offense. He had two receivers that should be in the Hall of Fame. The Rams had the one of the greatest dual threat runningbacks in the history of the game. Finally, they had a tackle that is already in the Hall of Fame. When he advanced the the Super Bowl in Arizona he had one of the best 10 receivers in the history of the game and another WR that will likely make the Hall of Fame. So in each place he advanced to the Super Bowl, he had 2 Hall of Fame receivers. His other stop in New York he was horrendous (a New York team that Eli Manning led to 2 Super Bowl Titles). He was great and I have no problem if people want to put him in Canton, but Kurt Warner is incredibly overrated. Not a Hall of Famer in my book.

11. Kevin Mawae
Center (1994-2009)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Mawae was a 7x 1st team All-Pro. He was a 8x Pro Bowler. Considered by most to be the best center of the 2000s and it is hard to argue that. Was a very effective pro, but there were some centers that were much better. In fact, recently elected center Dermontti Dawson was far better than Mawae. Not a Hall of Famer in my book, but would be fine with his election and think he will get in eventually. I am actually a big proponent of offensive linemen, which you probably don't think with some of these write-ups on this post.

10. Alan Faneca
Guard (1998-2007)
1 Super Bowl Title
Faneca is where I draw the Hall of Fame line. I think he is a Hall of Famer, but does not deserve it above the guys to come and should not make it this year as a result. Had he just been a guard, I don't think he makes it despite his 9 Pro Bowls and 6 All-Pro selections. That is because Will Shields was so clearly better as a guard. However, Faneca was not just a guard, he was able to shift to tackle when necessary and lead a deadly Steelers rushing attack. Faneca anchored the Steelers offensive line following Dawson's retirement. He was very effective for a number of years.

9. Terell Davis
Runningback (1995-2001)
2 Super Bowl Titles

Davis only played seven years like Boselli. Why should he get included and not Boselli?
Well, Davis was the best player at his position for a few seasons and he was also the best player on a back to back Super Bowl Champion. Davis had 3 of the most incredible 3 year spans for a runningback and was 1st team All-Pro each season. He won an NFL MVP and was twice Offensive Player of the Year in the NFC. Davis only had 4 1000 yard seasons, but those seasons were 1117 yards, 1538 yards, 1750 yards, and 2008 yards. Davis is 3rd all-time in rushing yards per game behind only Jim Brown and Barry Sanders. He was an infinitely better back than Jerome Bettis (whom I adore and was one of my personal favorites) who is already a Hall of Famer. He was clearly a better player than Bettis and Martin, just has less career yards because the other two played longer. Davis got hurt, should he be penalized for that?
He was the best in the league before that. Not sure that should incur a penalty. He is this low though because he did not have the longevity. I get it, I just also think he should eventually be in the Hall.

8. John Lynch
Safety (1993-2007)
1 Super Bowl Title
John Lynch was an amazing  football player and one of my personal favorites. While being one of my favorites does not make him a Hall of Famer, his excellence makes him a worthy candidate. I would love to have him higher on the list, but there are a few more deserving candidates and he will likely have to wait a year or two. Lynch was a 9 time pro bowler and a 3 time all-pro. He was one of the anchors of the Buccaneers defense that led the team to the Super Bowl in 2002 and many playoff appearances. The safety was the 3rd or 4th best player on that dominant defense though. I personally believe he had more of an impact than Warren Sapp on the Buccaneers success and should be in, but he is close to a borderline candidate. Lynch will be remembered as one of the hardest hitting safety of all-time. He will be remembered for helping lead the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl. Lynch was inducted into the Ring of Honor for both the Buccaneers and the Broncos. Should Lynch be penalized because of how excellent Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber were.

7. Isaac Bruce
Wide Receiver (1994-2009)
1 Super Bowl Title
Bruce was one of those amazing playmakers that Warner had at his disposal for the greatest show on turf. He is a 4 time Pro Bowler and he has 15,208 career yards to go with 91 touchdowns. The yardage total is 4th all-time. His 91 touchdowns rank 12th all-time. Extraordinary numbers for the no doubt Hall of Famer. Bruce had 8 1,000 yard receiving seasons, two of which were before Kurt Warner's arrival, and two of which were after he left. Warner was only there for half of his 1,000 yard seasons. He led the league in receiving in 1996 before the arrival of Kurt Warner. He was an insturmental part of one of the most dynamic offenses in history and made his mark before the legendary QB even arrived. His all-time numbers deserve induction.

6. Jason Taylor
Defensive End (1997-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Just on the surface I was thinking no on Taylor, but I dug a little deeper. I remembered the dominant season and thought that season was a Hall of Fame season, but did Taylor really have a Hall of Fame career?
The answer was a resounding yes. Taylor was a 2x AFC Defensive Player of the Year to go with his NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He's a 6x Pro Bowler and a 3x 1st team All-Pro. Taylor is the NFL's all-time leader in fumble return touchdowns. The defensive end also is the all-time leader in defensive touchdowns scored by a defensive lineman. Those are two legendary stats that deserve serious Hall consideration on their own. Taylor though is known best for hist ability to get to the quarterback. He did just that 139.5 times. That total ranks seventh all-time. All the players in front of Taylor on that list are in  the hall of fame with the exception of the not yet eligible Julius Peppers. There are several behind him that are known as sack masters that are also included. He is ahead of Richard Dent, John Randle, and even Lawrence Taylor on that list. Surely, Taylor belongs when you consider his entire body of work.

5. Terrell Owens
Wide Receiver (1996-2010)
0 Super Bowl Titles
Owens receives a very bad rap for his role as a "team obilterator." Some of that has merit and some of that does not. If he did not help his team win, that should hurt his Hall of Fame case. However, there are a few places that he obviously helped his team. Owens played in the Super Bowl on a severely sprained ankle and fractured fibula coming back much sooner than predicted (or than most possibly could). Not only that, but Owens caught 9 balls for 122 yards and nearly willed the Eagles to a victory over the Patriots. That performance added to the career body of work should make Owens a no doubter. I say he's in, but I understand the case against. Take out the media garbage and he is definitely in. Owens led the league in receiving touchdowns 3 times. The guy is 3rd all-time in receiving touchdowns and 2nd all-time in yards. It is hard to imagine him being kept out much longer. It is possible though.

4. Brian Dawkins
Safety (1996-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
We already talked about the Super Bowl Dawkins nearly won in the T.O. section, but let's talk about the winning legacy Dawkins had. Brian Dawkins anchored an Eagles defense that went to 4 straight NFC Championship games. 4 straight and winning the game once. We give the Bills a lot of credit for 4 straight Super Bowl losses, and history will eventually give this Eagles team credit for their success despite their ultimate failure. Dawkins was without a doubt the best player on that defense. He is a 9 time Pro Bowler and 4 time 1st team All-Pro. The Eagles retired his jersey, making him the 9th player in the 80 year franchise history to have his jersey retired. No doubt Hall of Fame guy.

3. Ty Law
Cornerback (1995-2009)
3 Super Bowl Titles

Law is a sneaky good corner that most don't realize how good he was. The Patriots Hall of Famer was the best player on that defense that won 3 Super Bowl Titles. He was a true shut down corner and absolutely shut down opposing receivers. Law was also a 5x Pro Bowler and 2x 1st Team All-Pro. A number that was low in part due to the excellence of Champ Bailey, Rod Woodson, and Deion Sanders who played in his era. Just remember best defensive player on a team that won 3 Super Bowls. Defense is said to win championships after all. Additionally, after winning 3 titles with Law, the Patriots did not win their next Super Bowl championship until 10 years after Law left New England. That despite the fact that they had arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time under center that entire time.

2. Joe Jacoby
Tackle (1981-1993)
3 Super Bowl Titles
Jacoby is long overdue for a Hall of Fame induction. The 1980s were partially defined as an era by the offensive line of the Redskins who were referred to as the hogs. That unit was led by its best player, Joe Jacoby. It led the Redskins to 3 Super Bowl Titles. It was one of the best front fives in NFL history. The fact that its best player has not yet been inducted is a joke. Jacoby absolutely should get in this year, and I believe that he FINALLY does.

1. LaDanian Tomlinson
Runningback (2001-2011)
0 Super Bowl Titles
If you do not believe LaDanian Tomlinson is a Hall of Famer, you must not have watched football in the last 20 years. LT was without a doubt top 5 RB all-time. I have seen Emmit, Barry, TD, Faulk, and many other greats in this era, but LT was only behind Barry in that group. Tomlinson is 5th all-time in rushing yards and 2nd all-time in touchdowns. He has a wide range of NFL records including most TDs in a single season. The guy is just as sure fire as you can get for a Hall of Famer.

So in summary I believe 10 guys eventually belong in. Since 5 get in annually, I believe those 5 this year should be LT, Jacoby, Law, Dawkins, and Owens. However, I suspect the 5 will be LT, Jacoby, Dawkins, Taylor, and Warner. We will see what the voters decide in a few short weeks.

-Noland