List of Walter Payton Man of the Year Award Winners (1970 - 2021)

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is an annual award given to an NFL player who shows exceptional philanthropy during the year in review.

The first such award was given in 1970, which went to Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Ravens. Since then, numerous stellar players have won the award, and this year isn't any different.

Tonight, we will find out the 2022 winner of the prestigious Walter Payton Award in honor of the individual's charitable feats for the year. Before then, though, let's look at the past winners of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

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Previous Walter Payton Man of the Year Award Winners (1970 - 2021)

Year Pos Player Team

2021 LT Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams

2020 QB Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

2019 LDE Calais Campbell Jacksonville Jaguars

2018 DE Chris Long, Philadelphia Eagles

2017 DE J.J. Watt Houston Texans

2016 QB Eli Manning, New York Giants

2016 WR Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals

2015 WR Anquan Boldin San Francisco 49ers

2014 LB Thomas Davis Carolina Panthers

2013 LCB Charles Tillman Chicago Bears

2012 TE Jason Witten Dallas Cowboys

2011 C Matt Birk Baltimore Ravens

2010 FS Madieu Williams Minnesota Vikings

2009 LG Brian Waters Kansas City Chiefs

2008 QB Kurt Warner Arizona Cardinals

2007 RDE Jason Taylor Miami Dolphins

2006 RB LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers

2006 QB Drew Brees New Orleans Saints

2005 QB Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts

2004 RB Warrick Dunn Atlanta Falcons

2003 RG Will Shields Kansas City Chiefs

2002 LCB Troy Vincent Philadelphia Eagles

2001 RB Jerome Bettis Pittsburgh Steelers

2000 LDT Jim Flanigan Chicago Bears

2000 RLB Derrick Brooks Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1999 WR Cris Carter Minnesota Vikings

1998 QB Dan Marino Miami Dolphins

1997 QB Troy Aikman Dallas Cowboys

1996 RCB Darrell Green Washington Redskins

1995 QB Boomer Esiason, New York Jets

1994 RLB Junior Seau San Diego Chargers

1993 ROLB Derrick Thomas Kansas City Chiefs

1992 QB John Elway Denver Broncos

1991 LT Anthony Munoz Cincinnati Bengals

1990 MLB Mike Singletary Chicago Bears

1989 QB Warren Moon Houston Oilers

1988 WR Steve Largent, Seattle Seahawks

1987 DB Dave Duerson, Chicago Bears

1986 ROLB Reggie Williams Cincinnati Bengals

1985 C Dwight Stephenson Miami Dolphins

1984 RDT Marty Lyons New York Jets

1983 K Rolf Benirschke San Diego Chargers

1982 QB Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins

1981 WR Lynn Swann Pittsburgh Steelers

1980 WR Harold Carmichael Philadelphia Eagles

1979 LDT Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers

1978 QB Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys

1977 RB Walter Payton Chicago Bears

1976 FB Franco Harris Pittsburgh Steelers

1975 QB Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals

1974 K George Blanda Oakland Raiders

1973 QB Len Dawson Kansas City Chiefs

1972 MLB Willie Lanier Kansas City Chiefs

1971 QB John Hadl San Diego Chargers

1970 QB Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts

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Who won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2021?

The 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner was Andrew Whitworth, a Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams legend.

Whitworth won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award as a member of the Los Angeles Rams and did so on the back of his awesome philanthropic work. The award and his first Super Bowl game win marked the perfect way to end an illustrious NFL career for the quintessential gentleman.

Andrew Whitworth was drafted into the NFL as the 55th overall pick of the 2006 NFL draft. He came into the league after a solid spell at LSU. The Cincinnati Bengals utilized Whitworth's talents for 11 years before he moved to the Los Angeles Rams.

The move was worth it, as the LSU icon ended his career with the elusive Super Bowl ring. He also dedicated his playing days to spreading love and positivity through charity.