On Thursday, the NFL announced the representatives for the Walter Payton Player of the Year Award for the 32 NFL teams. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, their representative this year will be edgebacker Alex Highsmith. Here’s everything you need to know about the award on the league’s website.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes NFL players for their excellence on and off the field. The award was established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. Each team nominates a player who has had a significant positive impact on their community, and one winner is chosen from among 32 club honorees. Each year, club winners are recognized beginning in Week 14 and wear WPMOY Trophy silhouette helmet decals throughout the season. In addition, all current players who receive this honor will receive a trophy silhouette patch on the front of their jerseys.
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Nationwide and the NFL are proud to recognize these 32 players who do more than just produce great performances on the field. They are leaders in their communities and are committed to giving back. The 2025 NFL season marks Nationwide’s 12th year sponsoring the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. During this period, Nationwide donated more than $2.3 million to charitable foundations represented by nominees and winners.
The winner of the award will receive an annual donation of up to $250,000 to the charity of his choice, and all 32 club winners will receive a donation of up to $40,000 to the charity of their choice. All donations are provided by the NFL Foundation and the National Foundation.
The winner of this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide, will be announced live at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, February 5.
Below is a list of the last 10 Steelers WPMOY representatives.
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2025: Alex Highsmith
2024: Larry Ogunjobi
2023: Cameron Hayward (Conference Champion)
2022: Cameron Hayward
2021: Cameron Hayward
2020: Vance McDonald
2019: Maurkice Pouncey
2018: Cameron Hayward
2017: Cameron Hayward
2016: Arthur Moats
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers EDGE Alex Highsmith appointed as WPMOY representative