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Former Senior Bowler Taylor
Named Walter Payton
NFL Man Of The Year
The NFL’s Defensive
Player of the Year in 2006 wins league’s most prestigious off-field
award.
MOBILE, Ala. (February 3, 2008) -- Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, who
represented Akron in the 1997 Senior Bowl, received the highest honor
attainable by an NFL defensive player when he was recognized as the
Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
This year, he was presented with the league’s most prestigious off-field
award as he was named the 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year, it was
announced today. Taylor becomes the third Dolphin to be bestowed with
this honor, joining a pair of Hall of Famers in center Dwight Stephenson
(1985) and quarterback Dan Marino (1998).
The award is named in honor of another former Senior Bowler, Walter
Payton, who played in the 1975 following a stellar collegiate career at
Jackson State. Taylor is also the 12th former Senior Bowl player to win
the prestigious honor since its inception in 1970, joining LaDainian
Tomlinson (2006), Derrick Brooks (2000), Dan Marino (1998), Derrick
Thomas (1993), Steve Largent (1988), Marty Lyons (1984), Lynn Swann
(1981), Joe Greene (1979), Walter Payton (1977), Franco Harris (1976)
and Len Dawson (1973).
2007 Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year,
Miami Dolphins defensive end
Jason Taylor
For the first time in the award’s 37-year history, the winner was
announced live on FOX before kickoff of Super Bowl XLII. NFL
Commissioner Roger Goodell and Connie Payton, the late Walter Payton’s
wife, presented Taylor with the award, the only league recognition that
acknowledges a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his
playing excellence.
Taylor, the Dolphins’ all-time career sack leader and six-time Pro Bowl
selection, established the Jason Taylor Foundation (JTF) in 2004 with a
mission of creating programs that assist South Florida’s children in
need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.
In 2007, the JTF contributed nearly $320,000 to numerous programs and
organizations dedicated to assisting young people, and launched the
‘Jason Taylor Reading Room’ in Miramar, Fla., an after-school program
designed to address illiteracy among inner-city youth. Taylor also
contributed $50,000 to the Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami to support
the ‘Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center,’ a recreational and
educational hub for hospitalized children.
“I am extremely humbled to receive an award bearing Walter Payton’s
name, as he embodied everything an NFL player should aspire to be, both
on and off the field,” Taylor said. “I can’t thank Commissioner Goodell,
Mrs. Payton and the rest of the selection committee enough for
recognizing our efforts, especially considering the likes of the other
three finalists, all of whom are outstanding men. This is without
question one of the more special moments of my career, but by no means
is it an individual accomplishment. My wife, the Jason Taylor Foundation
staff, the Miami Dolphins organization and every member of our community
that has contributed their time, energy and love should all share in
this honor. We are tremendously proud of what we have started in South
Florida, but we also understand that this is only the beginning; there
is so much more that we can and will do.”
“In his 11 seasons, Jason’s contributions to the Miami Dolphins
organization can only be matched by his tremendous dedication to the
South Florida community,” said Dolphins President Bryan Wiedmeier.
“Through the diligent efforts of his Foundation, he has been able to
make a difference in the lives of thousands of young people in our area.
Jason is extremely deserving of this prestigious honor, and the Miami
Dolphins and all of South Florida are very proud of have him as a part
of our family.”
This year, Taylor was among four finalists for the award, including
Steelers WR Hines Ward, the former Super Bowl MVP who played in the 1998
Senior Bowl, Chiefs G Brian Waters and Cowboys TE Jason Witten.
Finalists were chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from the 32 team nominees
for the award, all of whom receive a $1,000 donation to the charity of
their choice. The four finalists will receive an additional $5,000
donation in their name.
The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will receive
the distinctive Gladiator statue, an original art creation by the noted
sculptor, Daniel Schwartz. In addition, the player’s favorite charity
will receive a $25,000 donation in his name.
WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS
2007 - Jason Taylor, Defensive End - Miami Dolphins
2006 - Drew Brees, QB (N.O.) and LaDainian Tomlinson, RB (S.D.)
2005 - Peyton Manning, Quarterback - Indianapolis Colts
2004 - Warrick Dunn, Running Back - Atlanta Falcons
2003 - Will Shields, Guard - Kansas City Chiefs
2002 - Troy Vincent, Cornerback - Philadelphia Eagles
2001 - Jerome Bettis, Running Back - Pittsburgh Steelers
2000 - Derrick Brooks (Tampa) and Jim Flanigan (Chicago)
1999 - Cris Carter, Wide Receiver - Minnesota Vikings
1998 - Dan Marino, Quarterback - Miami Dolphins
1997 - Troy Aikman, Quarterback - Dallas Cowboys
1996 - Darrell Green, Cornerback - Washington Redskins
1995 - Boomer Esiason, Quarterback - New York Jets
1994 - Junior Seau, Linebacker - San Diego Chargers
1993 - Derrick Thomas, Linebacker - Kansas City Chiefs
1992 - John Elway, Quarterback - Denver Broncos
1991 - Anthony Munoz, Tackle - Cincinnati Bengals
1990 - Mike Singletary, Linebacker - Chicago Bears
1989 - Warren Moon, Quarterback - Houston Oilers
1988 - Steve Largent, Wide Receiver - Seattle Seahawks
1987 - Dave Duerson, Safety - Chicago Bears
1986 - Reggie Williams, Linebacker - Cincinnati Bengals
1985 - Dwight Stephenson, Center - Miami Dolphins
1984 - Marty Lyons, Defensive Tackle - New York Jets
1983 - Rolf Benirschke, Kicker - San Diego Chargers
1982 - Joe Theismann, Quarterback - Washington Redskins
1981 - Lynn Swann, Wide Receiver - Pittsburgh Steelers
1980 - Harold Carmichael, Wide Receiver - Philadelphia Eagles
1979 - Joe Greene, Defensive Lineman - Pittsburgh Steelers
1978 - Roger Staubach, Quarterback - Dallas Cowboys
1977 - Walter Payton, Running Back - Chicago Bears
1976 - Franco Harris, Running Back - Pittsburgh Steelers
1975 - Ken Anderson, Quarterback - Cincinnati Bengals
1974 - George Blanda, Quarterback - Oakland Raiders
1973 - Len Dawson, Quarterback - Kansas City Chiefs
1972 - Willie Lanier, Linebacker - Kansas City Chiefs
1971 - John Hadl, Quarterback - San Diego Chargers
1970 - Johnny Unitas, Quarterback - Baltimore Colts
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