By Staff Writer: Logan Tesmer
The Walter Payton National Football League Man of the Year award was established in 1970 and it is given to a player honoring his volunteer and charity work. Thirty-two current NFL players are nominated every year, one from each of the 32 teams. A winner is selected by a panel of judges consisting of Connie Payton, the previous year’s winner, NFL Commissioner, and former players. The first winner of the award was Johnny Unitas in 1970 when the award was called the NFL Man of the Year. In 1977 the award was given to Walter Payton, and shortly after his death in 1999 the award was renamed after him honoring his legacy a humanitarian.
At this year’s NFL Honors award ceremony, Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman was presented with the 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. Tillman has been nominated two times in the past three years. Tillman created the Cornerstone Foundation in 2005 and has raised more than $1 million to help children in the Chicago area. After his daughter Tiana was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy when she was three months old and received a heart transplant, his foundation started helping improve the lives of critically and chronically ill children. Tiana is now five-years-old and stronger than ever. A fund named for her has donated more than $1 million to more than 300 families. Tillman also donates lockers of toys to hospitals the Chicago area that he calls “Charles Locker”.
Tillman is the fifth Chicago Bear to receive the award. Previous winners include Payton (1977), Dave Duerson (1987), Mike Singletary (1990) and Jim Flanigan (2000). During his speech, he said it was “sweet to be taking Walter back to Chicago once again.”
On March 11, Tillman is to become an unrestricted free agent after spending his whole career in Chicago. Earlier in the week, he stated that he will end his career with the Bears. Even though his career may be over, he undoubtedly will continue his charity work in Chicago.
“I’m grateful to be the recipient of such a prestigious award,” Tillman said during his speech. “Walter Payton’s legacy continues to be a beacon of service and giving, and I’m just trying to do my small part. I don’t think any of the finalists do what they do to get recognition. But we do it because we are passionate about helping others.”
Tillman choked up during his speech dedication. “I dedicate this award to the lives of the five children I got to know who passed and they will be in spirit with us forever.”
