Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Walter Payton's charitable legacy lives on with the NFL Man of the Year Award.

Walter Payton, affectionately known as "Sweetness," is considered one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football. Raised in Columbia, Miss., Payton starred at Jackson State University of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. From 1971-74, he rushed for 3,563 yards and scored 66 total touchdowns.

Selected with the 4th overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, Payton spent his entire professional career with the NFL's Chicago Bears. Throughout his illustrious 13-year career, Payton was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and set several NFL records, including career rushing yards, touchdowns, attempts, and 100 yard rushing games. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

In February 1999, Payton revealed that he was suffering from a rare liver disease known as primary sclerosing cholangitis. Throughout his fight Payton remained valiant and encouraged Americans to become organ donors; bringing national attention to the cause. Following a courageous battle, Payton died on Nov. 1, 1999 at the age of 45.

Shortly after Payton's death, to honor his legacy as both a phenomenal player and humanitarian, the NFL Man of the Year Award was renamed the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Presented annually since 1970, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is granted to the player who demonstrates outstanding contributions to society off-the-field while handling himself in an exemplary fashion in uniform. The award's panel of judges includes NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Connie Payton, Pro Football Hall of Fame members Frank Gifford and Anthony Muñoz, Giants great and Executive Director of the NFL Alumni Association George Martin, Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King, and the previous year's recipient.

Walter Payton's charitable legacy endures today through the work of the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation. The organization is dedicated to the emotional healing of neglected, abused and underprivileged children by providing tools and opportunities to build self-esteem and encouragement.

To learn more about the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation please visit http://www.payton34.com/.

2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Philip Rivers, Charles Tillman and Matt Birk are greeted by Jarrett, Brittney and Connie Payton during a presentation of the 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Finalists at Super Bowl XLVI.

Throughout his 14-year NFL career, Baltimore Ravens Center Matt Birk has routinely been recognized for both his outstanding play and charitable efforts. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Birk was named Minnesota Vikings Man of the Year for seven consecutive years (2002-2008) and was a 2009 runner-up for the NFLPA Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award. His contributions both on and off the field continue to set a high standard for hard work and philanthropy throughout professional sports.

In 2002, Matt Birk and his wife Adrianna established Matt Birk's HIKE Foundation. HIKE, which stands for Hope, Inspiration, Knowledge, Education, is an organization which targets at-risk youth and provides them with interactive programs and resources needed throughout their key educational transitions.

One of the HIKE Foundation's core initiatives is the Read and Rise program. The Read and Rise program, in partnership with Scholastic, is designed to bring families, schools and communities together to support youth literacy development. Through its family engagement events the project has assisted families to better prepare children for reading and learning and has provided over 15,000 books to more than 5,000 youth.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell congratulates 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Matt Birk prior to Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium.

As the "Reading Spokesman" for Baltimore City elementary and middle schools, Birk uses a series of audio/video PSA's, motivational-style posters and social media outlets to encourage students to read and view education as a top priority. With its Ready, Set, Read! program, HIKE also motivates more than 100,000 Baltimore area youth to read at home through a system of incentives.

In 2010 the HIKE Foundation was recognized as an NFL Charities Player Foundation Impact Grant recipient. Impact grants are awarded to NFL player foundations which demonstrate the most effective and innovative community outreach throughout the league.

For his efforts to educate and empower today's youth, the NFL is proud to name Birk the 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

To learn more about Matt Birk's HIKE Foundation please visit hikefoundation.org.