In a heartwarming ceremony leading up to Super Bowl LVIII, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was announced as the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide. This prestigious award, named in memory of the beloved Chicago Bears running back, "Sweetness," recognizes an NFL player who excels not only on the field but also in serving their community.
Heyward becomes the fifth Steelers player to receive this honor, joining the ranks of legends such as Franco Harris, Joe Green, Lynn Swann, and Jerome Bettis. He has truly become a pillar of the Pittsburgh community through the work done by his foundation, The Heyward House.
In 2023, Heyward hosted his second annual Cam's Kindness Week, where he had the opportunity to meet with local students and share his experiences of overcoming adversity, coping with grief, and achieving goals. The week culminated in the opening of Craig's Closet, a facility that provides young men with free dress clothes for interviews, internships, and more.
Heyward's outstanding charitable contributions have earned him a donation of $250,000 to benefit a charity of his choice. Additionally, each of the other 31 nominees representing their respective NFL clubs will receive a donation of up to $55,000 in support of their chosen causes or charities. These generous donations are made possible by the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide, expressed his delight in congratulating Heyward, saying, "Nationwide is thrilled to congratulate Cameron Heyward on being named the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year. As a company committed to protecting, serving, and strengthening communities, we're honored to celebrate Cameron's dedication to improving the lives of others during our 10th year as the presenting sponsor of this prestigious award."
Nationwide has been the proud presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award since 2014. Over the years, they have donated more than $2.3 million to the foundations and causes represented by the nominees, truly making a difference in communities across the country.
For more information about Cameron Heyward and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, visit www.nfl.com/manoftheyear. This award not only recognizes Heyward's exceptional on-field performance but also his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact off the field.