Buckeyes Now

Former Ohio State Defensive Linemen Cameron Heyward, Sam Hubbard Nominated For Walter Payton Man Of The Year Award

Wide receiver Cris Carter is the only former Buckeye to win the NFL’s most prestigious individual honor.

Andrew Lind

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Former Ohio State defensive linemen Cameron Heyward and Sam Hubbard were recently nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which is considered the NFL’s most prestigious individual honor.

Established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 in honor of late Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, the award recognizes players who have exhibited excellence on the field and volunteer work off of it.

One player from each of the NFL’s 32 teams is nominated, with each receiving a $40,000 donation in their name to the charity of their choice and a helmet decal depicting the trophy to wear for the remainder of the season.

The winner will be revealed during the NFL Honors awards show in February. He will receive a $250,000 donation in his name to the charity of his choice, as well as a patch depicting the trophy to wear on his uniform until he retires.

Heyward, who has been nominated for the award five times during his 12-year career, gives back to the local community through his foundation, The Heyward House. That includes initiatives that support teachers and young men in need of dress clothes for job interviews, internships and more.

“There are a lot of guys in the league who give back," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “I think where Cam stands out is his consistency. Year in and year out, he's been a consistent leader and role model on the field and in the community for the young players on this team. It's been special having a guy like that in our locker room for over a decade now.”

This marks the second straight year that Hubbard, who is in his fifth season with the Bengals, has been honored by his hometown franchise. He created the Sam Hubbard Foundation with the goal of bringing equitable access to food, education and a healthy lifestyle to local residents.

“As an NFL player, I think your on-field performance is just a small part of what your legacy will be when it's all said and done,” Hubbard said. “What you do for others, how you treat the people around you and the lasting impact you leave on your community are just as important as wins and losses.”

Wide receiver Cris Carter is the only former Buckeye to win the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, doing so in 1999. 

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Andrew Lind
ANDREW LIND

Andrew Lind is an Ohio State beat writer and photographer at BuckeyesNow, founder of The Ohio State Uniform Database and the NCAA and NFL writer at SportsLogos.net.

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