Bobby Wagner
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Linebacker | Utah State University | 12 |
Demonstrates Excellence on the Field
Wagner has consistently produced throughout his 12-year career and is on track to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer. A member of Seattle's Super Bowl XLVIII-winning team and seven-time team captain, he is Seattle's all-time leader in tackles with 1,457 and holds three of the top-five records for most tackles in a single-season in franchise history. He was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s, has been named an Associated Press All-Pro nine times (six-time first-team), and has been selected to eight Pro Bowls. On track to post his 12th-consecutive 100-tackle season, Wagner's 1,597 career tackles, unofficially, rank sixth in NFL history.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
This year, Wagner's primary focus has revolved around stroke awareness and youth education. Wagner's time with the Los Angeles Rams, signifying a connection to his mother's resting place near SoFi Stadium, stirred emotions tied to her passing in 2009 due to stroke-related complications. This proximity has inspired Wagner to actively support stroke patients in their recovery journeys. In his mother's memory, he partnered with Cedar Sinai and Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles, hospitals his mother were treated in, along with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (when he resigned with Seattle), to establish the Phenia Mae Fund. This initiative supports stroke patients and promotes stroke education. To date, these efforts have raised over $550,000.
Returning to the Seahawks for the 2023 season, Wagner expanded his mission by collaborating with the Seahawks and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to introduce FAST54, a comic and educational tool to help readers recognize stroke symptoms. Available online, it has been physically distributed to 10,800 individuals. Wagner further engaged with the community by visiting a local elementary school, where he personally read the comic to students.
Beyond his own fund, Wagner also generously donated $25,000 to the American Stroke Association and contributed a signed jersey and a unique game day experience to help their annual gala raise over $100,000. Additionally, he lent his time to the American Heart Association, participating in a national PSA commercial to educate people about recognizing the signs of a stroke.
Beyond his contributions to stroke awareness, Wagner also emphasizes the importance youth education. Since entering the league, he has championed business and entrepreneurship education. He established the Tackle Everything Tech Tour, which aims to ignite students' curiosity and expose them to opportunities they may not encounter in traditional education. Targeting underrepresented teens, the tour has visited various companies to introduce students to diverse career possibilities. In a notable gesture, Wagner surprised students in Washington, D.C. involved in the Seahawks and Microsoft's WHOLE Mentoring program. The initiative brought together 16 young Black men from the greater Seattle area for a six-day tour of renowned Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Wagner's unwavering commitment to community efforts has remained steadfast. He possesses a keen awareness of the substantial platform he has been granted, prompting him to aspire to make a significant impact wherever the need arises.
Early in his career, Wagner's focused on addressing issues related to food disparity and homelessness. He actively supported the construction of tiny homes for displaced families in Seattle, and every Thanksgiving, he provided meals for families facing hardships. In a remarkable gesture, he also settled the outstanding breakfast and lunch bills for the entire Renton School District. The Thanksgiving meals giveaways and settling outstanding bills remain an ongoing effort for Wagner.
In 2019, Wagner started Walk with Wagner, an effort to promote youth health and increase stroke awareness. Unfortunately, due to COVID, Walk with Wagner had to go on hold, but it was revived this year and hosted hundreds of families at the Seahawks' facility. Wagner plans to make Walk with Wagner an annual staple.
Evident through his work, the welfare of youth also holds a special place in his heart. Each year, he extends financial support to the Boys and Girls Club of King County during their annual summer field day, which encourages hundreds of children to engage in outdoor activities. On top of his other efforts, he has taken hundreds of children Christmas shopping, ensuring that no one misses out on the holiday season.
Beyond these outstanding contributions, Wagner is always seeking opportunities to raise the profile of HBCUs. His involvement transcends financial support, as he has taken on a leadership role by partnering with the HBCU Legacy Bowl. This partnership aims to provide invaluable exposure for HBCU players and coaches with aspirations of joining the NFL.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Wagner's ambition is not only evident on the field but exemplified through the work he's done in the community. This marks Wagner's second nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, with his initial recognition in 2019. Wagner consistently identifies new initiatives, not only participating but also taking on leadership roles.
For instance, after being released by the Rams, he heard about a part-time Rams employee facing a family tragedy and donated $5,000 for funeral expenses. Another generous act was his donation to the Time for Change Foundation, a minority-led nonprofit aiding women rebuilding their lives after incarceration, being in rehabilitation centers, or domestic violence shelters.
Moreover, in 2021, he teamed up with the Head Start program to offer gift cards to 200 kids ages 3-5 who "Suit-up" for Halloween. This initiative was to remind kids that they too can feel empowered no matter what's thrown their way. As a leader on the football field, Wagner understands that true leadership is best exemplified through leading by example. His primary focus revolves around supporting and empowering youth. He aspires to create a meaningful difference in their lives, with the goal of motivating them to seize future opportunities.
