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Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning Named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

February 3, 2006

Peyton Manning, quarterback for the AFC South champion Indianapolis Colts, was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year on Friday, February 03 in Detroit MI.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, named after the legendary Chicago Bears running back who died in 1999, is the only league award that recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.

Connie Payton, Walter Payton's wife, presented Manning with his award this morning at a press conference and NFL Vice President of Player and Employee Development and Hall of Fame member Michael Haynes made the announcement. In addition, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue saluted Manning's honor during his annual Super Bowl news conference.

Manning joins an esteemed list of past winners that includes 15 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (complete list of winners below).

Manning, who has won the past two passing titles, participates in community service with the same fervor he employs on the field. He made a huge impact on the people of his native Louisiana last September following Hurricane Katrina. Peyton and younger brother Eli, the New York Giants quarterback, secured a plane, helped fill it with 30,000 pounds of relief supplies and flew to Louisiana a week after the hurricane to make the delivery.

"The ability to work with and help people in the community is one of the more rewarding opportunities we have as NFL players, which is why this is one of the most meaningful honors I have ever received," said Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Peyton Manning. "Knowing everything that Walter Payton stood for makes the award that much more special."

Through his "PeyBack Foundation," Manning has had the opportunity to positively affect thousands of people in the Indianapolis community. For the past two years the PeyBack Foundation has worked with Child Advocates, a national non-profit which represents the best interests of abused and neglected children, on a year-round program to expose 20 middle school students to a variety of educational, cultural and community-oriented activities. Manning also teams with Child Advocates to host its annual flag football game at the Union Federal Football Center.

Each year, Manning hosts the "PeyBack Classic," which allows local high school teams the opportunity to play on the Colts' home field at the RCA Dome. The "PeyBack Bowl" bowling fundraiser raised more than $260,000 for the foundation last year. The PeyBack Foundation funds various programs in Indiana, Louisiana and Tennessee and has distributed more than $1 million in grants since its inception in 1999.

"Peyton is a person who understands his responsibility not only as a professional football player, but as a man and community servant," said Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts. "Every sports team - and every professional athlete - should take a page from his book. We are all in a position to step up and be leaders in philanthropy."

Manning has also received recognition for his contributions to the "True Heroes" program at the St. Vincent Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, his annual holiday visits with more than 1,000 children to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and his yearly Thanksgiving work with various community agencies and schools.

The accomplishments of the 32 finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award - one from each NFL team - are reviewed by a blue-ribbon panel, which includes Commissioner Tagliabue, Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King, football greats Frank Gifford, Jack Kemp, 2004 winner and current Atlanta Falcons star Warrick Dunn and Connie Payton.

Manning will receive the distinctive Gladiator statue, an original art creation by the noted sculptor, Daniel Schwartz. In addition, Manning's favorite charity will receive a $25,000 donation in his name.

Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year Winners

Year	Player, Position	Team
2005	Peyton Manning, Quarterback	Indianapolis Colts
2004	Warrick Dunn, Running Back	Atlanta Falcons
2003	Will Shields, Guard	Kansas City Chiefs
2002	Troy Vincent, Defensive End	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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