Cameron Heyward again Steelers' nominee for NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ nine-time defensive captain is now their six-time nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

Cameron Heyward was nominated for the third consecutive season Tuesday. The NFL refers to the award as its “most prestigious honor.” Re-named in 1999 for the Hall of Fame running back of the Chicago Bears, it acknowledges NFL players “who excel on the field and demonstrate a passion for creating a lasting positive impact beyond the game.”

Each of the 32 teams nominates one of its players.

“It means a lot,” Heyward said Tuesday. “The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is a big honor for the man he was, for the esteem it is around our league. When you look at guys who have won it, guys who have been nominated, it’s about doing right in our community. It’s being good players on the field but even better men off it.”

Heyward in 2015 established the Heyward House Foundation, an organization focused on youth that notes, “every kid needs to have one person who is in their corner, rooting for them at all times.”

The centerpiece of Heyward’s off-field endeavors comes during “Cam’s Kindness Week,” during which he reaches out to different segments of the community on a daily basis.

Included in Heyward’s outreach were events with The Caring Place, which offers programs to support children and families who are grieving after a devastating loss. Heyward lost his father, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, when he was 16. The elder Heyward starred at Pitt and in the NFL.

“I think having role models in my life that found a way to give back in different ways in the community has motivated me to do the same and continue to give back and understand my community needs it,” Heyward said. “I want to be part of the change. My perspective is we have a great opportunity to give back. I’m never going to run away from that.”

On the field, Heyward has been named first-team AP NFL All-Pro three times and second team once. In his 13th season with the Steelers, Heyward has been a starter since 2013 and a defensive captain since 2015.

“As a coach, you hope to have a guy like Cam on your roster,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told Steelers.com. “Someone you can point out to the younger players and say, ‘You want to be successful? Study film like this guy, compete like this guy, serve your community and your family like this guy.’ He’s done all the right things on and off the field consistently for a long time now. You hope your young guys absorb that.”

Difference makers on the field, and in the community. ????

Meet all 32 nominees for the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by @Nationwide. #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/wHnN73D5LX

— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2023

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