Steelers' Cameron Heyward wins Walter Payton Man of the Year award
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
During the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, announced the Steelers captain as the winner of the award. Heyward was nominated for the sixth time this year.
According to the NFL, the award "recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field." It was established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after legendary Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.
Each NFL team nominates one player "who has had a significant positive impact on his community," the NFL said.
The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award receives a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice, though all 32 nominees receive up to a $55,000 donation to their charity of choice.
"A phenomenal teammate and role model on and off the field Well deserved captain," teammate T.J. Watt posted to X, formerly Twitter, after Heyward won.
"Congrats to my guy @CamHeyward. I am so proud of the man you are. What you do on the field is your job. What you do off the field represents the person you are. You are a true leader on the team and in the community. I am honored to be your coach," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin posted to social media.
Other Steelers who have won the award include Franco Harris, Joe Greene, Lynn Swann and Jerome Bettis.
Heyward has spent all 13 years of his NFL career in Pittsburgh after being drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
On Friday, KDKA-TV's Ross Guidotti spoke to the executive director of the Mt. Ararat Community Activity Center about the impact Heyward has had in the community.
"We are fortunate enough to house the Heyward House and Craig's Closet here in our facility," said Denise Head, executive director of the center.
Craig's Closet is named after Heyward's father and provides young men suits, sport coats and other business wear for special occasions.
"When they graduate from high school and go off to college, when they become successful in their lives, they'll remember their first suit," Head said.
