Giving Back: Cam Heyward is NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year
The award was presented by Prince Harry Thursday night in Las Vegas.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward may not have a Super Bowl ring (yet), but Thursday night in Las Vegas he picked up a trophy that is just as prestigious. After several nominations from the Steelers in previous years, Heyward is this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
Thirty-two finalists vie for the award, one from each team. It honors a player’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as excellence on the field.
Heyward accepted the honor at the end of a two-hour NFL Honors program.
“My dad wore No. 34,” Heyward said of his late father, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. “He’s been with me the entire time, every step of the way. I didn’t know another 34 was helping me, this man Walter Payton.”
PM sports columnist Mike Prisuta detailed Heyward’s many charitable works in a profile in July of 2022.
Heyward paid tribute to his mother, who was in the audience, for her contributions to his life and charitable work.
“When my dad passed away, there was only one person who stepped up for my family, and she stepped up for my foundation,” he said.
You can watch the full award presentation here.
