Walter Payton Man of the Year 2025-26 Award Winner, Voting Results and Reaction

Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner won the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award on Thursday at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco.

Wagner gave a heartfelt speech in honor of his mother, Phenia Mae Wagner, who passed away from a stroke at the age of 47 in 2009. Wagner's Phenia Mae Fund was established in her honor.

The award recognizes an NFL player for his "excellence on and off the field." The honor was initially established in 1970 as the NFL Man of the Year award. It was then renamed in 1999 in honor of Chicago Bears legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton after his passing.

NFL.com provided a rundown of Wagner's efforts off-the-field this year, stating in part:

"In 2025, Wagner deepened his lifelong commitment to service through purposeful action, compassion, and community leadership across the Washington, D.C. region. This year, his efforts centered around three pillars of impact: health awareness, youth empowerment, and community uplift, each grounded in his belief that sustainable change begins with education, access, and heart.

"At the center of his 2025 work is the Phenia Mae Fund, his signature initiative honoring his late mother. Wagner expanded its reach by launching a groundbreaking partnership with Children's National Hospital, funding the hospital's pediatric stroke program. This initiative provides financial assistance and rehabilitation resources for young patients and their families while advancing research and education around stroke prevention.

"When the hospital's Fight Strokes F.A.S.T. campaign sought support ahead of their Race for Every Child event, Wagner personally financed the fundraising goal in full, ensuring the effort's success. He later visited the hospital to meet patients and staff, offering encouragement and gratitude, and invited several young survivors to join him as special guests at a Commanders home game, creating a moment of joy and belonging that reflected his deep personal connection to the cause.

"Wagner also amplified his Tackle Everything Tech Tour, bringing opportunity directly to the next generation. He guided 40 students from Prince George's County and Howard University through an immersive experience exploring technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. By introducing them to industry leaders at Amazon, Microsoft, and Andreessen Horowitz, he equipped students with real-world tools and inspiration to pursue careers in fields where diversity remains limited.

"Beyond structured programs, Bobby continues to lead with quiet generosity, funding community needs and uplifting individuals without seeking recognition. From supporting families facing medical hardships to anonymously donating to local shelters, his actions reflect a rare combination of humility and intentionality."

The 35-year-old Wagner is also an assured future Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the greatest middle linebackers in NFL history.

In his 14 NFL seasons, Wagner has made 10 Pro Bowls and earned six First Team All-Pro honors. A member of the All-2010s Hall of Fame team, Wagner also helped lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory to cap the 2013 NFL season.

Remarkably, Wagner is still going strong well into his second NFL decade, amassing 162 tackles (79 solo), 4.5 sacks and two interceptions last year in 17 starts.

Fans and analysts reacted to the well-deserved honor and his incredible speech.

All 32 NFL teams each nominate one player for consideration. Each club winner receives a $40,000 donation to a charity of his choosing, and the winner receives up to a $250,000 donation to a charity of his choice, all courtesy of The NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.

Here's a look at each team's nominee, with links to their profiles and work on and off the field via NFL.com.

• Arizona Cardinals: OL Kelvin Beachum

• Atlanta Falcons: CB A.J. Terrell Jr.

• Baltimore Ravens: RB Derrick Henry

• Buffalo Bills: OT Dion Dawkins

• Carolina Panthers: C Austin Corbett

• Chicago Bears: WR D.J. Moore

• Cincinnati Bengals: C Ted Karras

• Cleveland Browns: S Grant Delpit

• Dallas Cowboys: DT Solomon Thomas
• Denver Broncos: OT Garrett Bolles
• Detroit Lions: DL DJ Reader
• Green Bay Packers: QB Jordan Love
• Houston Texans: LB Azeez Al-Shaair
• Indianapolis Colts: CB Kenny Moore II
• Jacksonville Jaguars: P Logan Cooke
• Kansas City Chiefs: TE Travis Kelce
• Las Vegas Raiders: DE Maxx Crosby
• Los Angeles Chargers: K Cameron Dicker
• Los Angeles Rams: RB Kyren Williams
• Miami Dolphins: LB Bradley Chubb
• Minnesota Vikings: FB C.J. Ham
• New England Patriots: TE Hunter Henry
• New Orleans Saints: LB Demario Davis
• New York Giants: LB Bobby Okereke
• New York Jets: LB Quincy Williams
• Philadelphia Eagles: OT Jordan Mailata
• Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Alex Highsmith
• San Francisco 49ers: LB Curtis Robinson
• Seattle Seahawks: S Julian Love
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Baker Mayfield
• Tennessee Titans: DT Jeffery Simmons
• Washington Commanders: LB Bobby Wagner

Baltimore Colts quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas won the first-ever Man of the Year award in 1970. Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead won last year's honor. Other notable winners in recent years include Larry Fitzgerald and Eli Manning (2016), J.J. Watt (2017), Russell Wilson (2020) and Dak Prescott (2022).