Kurt Warner NFL Man of the Year

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner was named the 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year yesterday. The announcement was made on-field at Raymond James Stadium live on NBC before the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Connie Payton, the late Walter Payton’s wife, presented Kurt with the award, the only league recognition that acknowledges a player’s community service as well as his playing excellence.

“I am humbled the Lord has given me such an amazing life to impact others. Of all the awards given to NFL athletes, the Walter Payton Man of the Year is the one that stands out above the rest to me because of what it represents. When people look back at my career I want them to see a fierce competitor, but more importantly, I want to be remembered for my consistency of character and the legacy I hope to leave through my First Things First Foundation.”

For all of his on-field accomplishments, including a Super Bowl XXXIV win, two NFL Most Valuable Player awards and four Pro Bowl selections, Kurt’s community work remains his biggest source of pride. After visiting flood-ravaged regions in 2008, he created a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to sponsor home builds throughout the Midwest. To date, he has raised over $650,000, including a $100,000 personal contribution, $100,000 from his foundation, and $100,000 each from the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL Disaster Relief Fund. Kurt established the aforementioned First Things First Foundation in 2001 and has personally contributed more than $1.5 million since then to fund trips for Make-A-Wish families, home builds for underprivileged families, and Punt, Pass and Kick clinics with Special Olympians. Kurt is an active participant in both league-wide and team-based community programs, including NFL Network’s Keep Gym in School initiative and the NFL PLAY 60/American Heart Association What Moves U in-school fitness program.

Source: NFL Media, Photo: Newscom