NEW YORK—CHARLES ‘Peanut’ TILLMAN of the Bears was named the 2013 WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR, it was announced today.  The award recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.Tillman is the fifth Bears player to be honored with the award joining Payton (1977), Dave Duerson (1987), Mike Singletary (1990) and Jim Flanigan (2000).JARRETT and BRITTNEY PAYTON, the late Walter Payton’s children, will honor Tillman on-field tomorrow before kickoff of Super Bowl XLVIII.
“I’m grateful to be the recipient of such a prestigious award,” said Tillman. “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 has distinguished himself as one of the NFL’s top defensive backs during his outstanding 11-year career with the Bears. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Tillman ranks third in Bears franchise history with 36 interceptions, and is the franchise leader in defensive return touchdowns, interception return touchdowns and interception return yards. Tillman is just as passionate and successful off the field as he is on game day, and his career has been characterized by a sincere and genuine interest in giving back to the community.Tillman continues to have an impact on millions of people in the Chicago area through his Cornerstone Foundation and its many programs.  Charles’ Locker provides pediatric hospital patients with access to tablets, laptops, gaming systems and other kinds of entertainment to help pass the time during their hospital stays and annually reaches more than 370,000 children.  The Tiana Fund has distributed more than $1 million to 300 families who have been identified by local organizations as at-risk or in-need.  The support is provided to families and individuals to strengthen their ability to care for themselves, enhance their stability and security, and improve their quality of life. Tillman and his wife, Jackie, also contribute their time and resources to local, national and international organizations outside of the Cornerstone Foundation.  The Tillmans have helped build a school in Cambodia, sponsored children through the Urban Promise program in Camden, New Jersey, and have purchased and donated over 700 tickets to Bears home games since 2008 through the Bears Home Team Hand-Off program.  Tillman is also an avid supporter of our military, and has participated in a USO tour to Iraq, volunteered with the USO of Illinois on Thanksgiving to serve meals to local troops, and provided soldiers with tickets to games at Soldier Field during the 2013 season.  He was the recipient of the 2012 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. The award was created to acknowledge the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members and veterans.Tillman joins an esteemed list of winners of the annual award, including 17 Pro Football Hall of Famers.  Recent winners of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award include JASON WITTEN of the Dallas Cowboys (2012), MATT BIRK, then of the Baltimore Ravens (2011), MADIEU WILLIAMS, then of the Minnesota Vikings (2010). (A complete list of previous winners is below).
All 32 team nominees for the award receive a $1,000 donation from NFL Foundation to the charity of their choice.  The three Man of the Year finalists received an additional $5,000 donation in their name. The selection panel is comprised of NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL, former NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE, CONNIE PAYTON, Pro Football Hall of Fame members FRANK GIFFORD and ANTHONY MUÑOZ, 2012 winner JASON WITTEN, and Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King.
The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will receive the Gladiator statue, an original art creation by the noted sculptor, DANIEL SCHWARTZ.  In addition, the player’s favorite charity will receive a $20,000 donation in his name.

WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS

YEAR, PLAYER, POSITION,TEAM

2013 Charles Tillman, Cornerback BEARS

2012 Jason Witten, Tight End Dallas Cowboys

2011 Matt Birk,  Center Baltimore Ravens

2010 Madieu Williams, Safety Minnesota Vikings

2009 Brian Waters, Guard Kansas City Chiefs

2008 Kurt Warner, Quarterback Arizona Cardinals

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, Defensive Back Philadelphia Eagles

2001 Jerome Bettis, Running Back Pittsburgh Steelers

2000 Jim Flanigan(BEARS) and Derrick Brooks (Tampa)

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 BEARS

1989 Warren Moon, Quarterback Houston Oilers

1988 Steve Largent, Wide Receiver Seattle Seahawks

1987 Dave Duerson, Safety BEARS

1986 Reggie Williams, Linebacker Cincinnati Bengals

1985 Dwight Stephenson, Center Miami Dolphins

1984 Marty Lyons, Tackle New York Jets

1983 Rolf Benirschke, Kicker San Diego Chargers

1982 Joe Theismann, Quarterback Washington Redskins

1981Lynn 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 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