Payton starred for the Chicago Bears from 1975 to 1987 after graduating from Jackson State. At Jackson State, Payton, as a running back, was voted Black College Player of the Year in 1973 and 1974.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Steve Wright, who was the model for what is now the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year trophy, has died. He was 82. Wright died Sunday at ...

Two-time Green Bay Packers Super Bowl champion Steve Wright, the model used for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year trophy, has died, the Packers announced. Wright played nine seasons in the NFL ...

Steve Wright, a three-time NFL champion with the Packers whose likeness was used on the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year trophy, died on Sunday in Alabama, the team announced Tuesday. He was 82.

In 1969, artist Daniel Bennett Schwartz was commissioned by the league to create a sculpture called "The Gladiator." The Giants were asked to send a model for Schwartz to make the creation from ...

Former Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Green Bay Packers, who played for the franchise from 1964-67, died Sunday at a care facility in Augusta, Georgia. Wright was 82 years old. Wright's likeness ...

The trophy was renamed in honor of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton in 1999. In 1969, when Packers quarterback Bart Starr was the first winner, it was called the Gladiator Award.

Steve Wright, the offensive lineman used as the model for the Walter Payton Man of the Year trophy, died at 82 on Sunday, the Green Bay Packers announced Tuesday.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward won the NFL’s most prestigious honor on Thursday, earning the lifetime achievement award that is the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year.

It was called NFL Man of the Year Award from 1970 until 1999, when it was renamed for Hall of Famer Walter Payton after his death in 1999. Payton was the recipient of the honor in 1977.

Out of 32 nominees, one NFL player was awarded the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Learn which football star took home the award in 2025 ahead of Super Bowl LIX.