Bobby Wagner named 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide

Bobby Wagner named 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide

Wagner and 31 club winners celebrated for their commitment to community

Just three days before the Super Bowl LX clash between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL community gathered at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco to award the league's annual accolades during NFL Honors.

After recognizing numerous players and coaches for their on-field accomplishments, the primetime program concluded with the announcement of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. 2024 Man of the Year Arik Armstead had the honor of revealing Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner as the 2025 recipient.

The prestigious award that celebrates the enduring legacy of the late, great Chicago Bears running back was established in 1970 and posthumously renamed in Payton's honor in 1999. It recognizes an NFL player who excels both on the field and in service to his community. Wagner becomes the third player from the Washington franchise to win the award, following Darrell Green (1996) and Joe Theismann (1982).

In honor of Wagner's outstanding philanthropic contributions, the charity of his choice will receive a donation of up to $250,000. In addition, the charitable beneficiaries designated by the other 31 club winners will each receive a donation of up to $40,000. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.

"Nationwide is honored to congratulate Bobby Wagner and celebrate his dedication to improving the lives of others," said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. "As a company that prides itself on being so much more than a business, Nationwide is proud to help showcase the transformative work Bobby and all of the club winners are doing in service to causes and communities around the league."

Since becoming presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2014, Nationwide's dedication to this platform has elevated one of the NFL's most revered awards to a new level. As part of this commitment, Nationwide has donated more than $2.3 million to the charitable organizations represented by nominees and winners.

The Nationwide Foundation has donated $2 million to the NFL Foundation to further support the charitable beneficiaries designated by the Man of the Year nominees and winners.

To learn more about Bobby Wagner and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, visit www.nfl.com/manoftheyear.