Cam Heyward Named 2023 Walter Payton Man Of The Year

Cameron Heyward is an intimidating, menacing force on the football field, but off the field, it's a completely different story.

And that is exactly why Heyward was selected as the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards in the entire league. The award was announced on Thursday night during the NFL Honors in Las Vegas and presented by Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex.

"I want to say thank you to God. I wouldn't be here today without him," Heyward began his acceptance speech, after overcoming the suprise of Prince Harry presenting the award. "Ever since I've been a Pittsburgh Steeler I've always thought God and my dad had a plan for me. And I'm living it right now.

"I want to say thank you to the Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me this opportunity. Mike T (Coach Mike Tomlin), it's an honor to be coached by you. I couldn't play for any other coach. To my teammates, I'm thankful to be your teammate. There's not a day goes by that I'm not touched. You push me, give me a chance to give back and you support me. I have to say thank you to the Steelers organization, Mr. (Art) Rooney II, Dan Rooney. I also have to give a big shout out to my community people. Blayre (Holmes), Angela (Tegnelia), Burt (Lauten), you guys do amazing job, Omar (Khan). You give me a chance to give back. You give me a chance to go out there and affect my community.

"This might be a little hard for me. When I talk about my family, I talk about my mom (Charlotte). When my dad passed away, there was only one person who stepped up for my family. And she stepped up for my foundation. I play football, and I got a chance to give back, but I can't do everything. So she picks up the slack for our foundation. There isn't anybody in Pittsburgh that doesn't know her name. It's all for the right reasons. My wife (Allie), you are my rock. You push me. You're there for me. You are the love of my life. I am thankful for that.

"A special thank you to the Walter Payton family. This is my sixth time (nominated), so I've gotten a chance to know them over the years. And this guy, he always said it right. We are blessed to be a blessing.

"When I talk about my dad (the late Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward), he wore No. 34. And he's been with me the entire time. He's been with me every step of the way. But I didn't know there was another No. 34 that was helping me. This man, Walter Payton. He's done so much on and off the field and he's changed so many lives and I have an opportunity to be part of such a great fraternity here for Walter Payton finalists and winners. I know I can carry this on and take the rock."

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OUTSTANDING!!! Can’t think of anyone who deserves it more, ( of course I am a little biased).

Well-deserved!

If you didn’t see it, his acceptance speech is worth the watch.

Also—-Najee won the Angry Runs award for the year…

Congrats, well deserved, now let’s get him a ring to retire with!

Good man. Plain and simple.

I'll second all the posts.

Well deserved

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Hope some day to shake his hand! He has been a constant on that DLine, but just as important, he’s been a constant in Pittsburgh.

Great player, even better person

Congrats, Cam and well deserved!

I'm seeing lots of negative comments on why was Prince Harry there. I'm not a fan of the man, but Harry, (the boy) lost his mother. Cam's foundation benefits kids who have lost a parent (like Cam did....and like Harry did).

I think Harry could have used a good role model like Cam when he was young. I don't think they could have picked a better presenter for Cam than a man who also lost a beloved parent. JMO

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Originally Posted by stillers4me

Congrats, Cam and well deserved!

I'm seeing lots of negative comments on why was Prince Harry there. I'm not a fan of the man, but Harry, (the boy) lost his mother. Cam's foundation benefits kids who have lost a parent (like Cam did....and like Harry did).

I think Harry could have used a good role model like Cam when he was young. I don't think they could have picked a better presenter for Cam than a man who also lost a beloved parent. JMO

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People forget that. Diana tried to make life as “normal” for her boys as possible. I think it was a good choice for presenters.

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Originally Posted by stillers4me

Congrats, Cam and well deserved!

I'm seeing lots of negative comments on why was Prince Harry there. I'm not a fan of the man, but Harry, (the boy) lost his mother. Cam's foundation benefits kids who have lost a parent (like Cam did....and like Harry did).

I think Harry could have used a good role model like Cam when he was young. I don't think they could have picked a better presenter for Cam than a man who also lost a beloved parent. JMO

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That was not Prince Harry. That was Carson Wentz! :chuckle:

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Yeah I get people saying Harry lost his mom. As someone that lost their dad when I was 6 years old I know what it is like to be raised by a single mom. But there are so many kids that don't have the wealth and family that Harry had. Sorry but based on what Harry and his current wife have said and done, he didn't belong on the stage with a great man like Cam. Just my humble opinion.

The fact that people care one way or another just takes away from the attention Cam should be getting for the good work he's done. The presenter shouldn't matter, whether it Harry, Queen Elizabeth, Little Jimmy from the convenience store, OJ Simpson...it doesn't matter. People are focusing on the wrong thing here...

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Originally Posted by 86WARD

The fact that people care one way or another just takes away from the attention Cam should be getting for the good work he's done. The presenter shouldn't matter, whether it Harry, Queen Elizabeth, Little Jimmy from the convenience store, OJ Simpson...it doesn't matter. People are focusing on the wrong thing here...

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True but why not get someone that is related to football or even sports to do it? Oh well congrats Cam, great work.

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Originally Posted by EzraTank

True but why not get someone that is related to football or even sports to do it? Oh well congrats Cam, great work.

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I think the correlation is there between Harry's situation and Cam's situation (but I don't think that was taken into consideration...or maybe it was) and Harry is a big name. The NFL does big names...and there was "shock value" to Harry surprise presenting.

I'm more surprised there hasn't been more of an uproar about Ray Lewis' "that's gay" comment during the Pro Bowl than there has been about Harry presenting.

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Originally Posted by EzraTank

True but why not get someone that is related to football or even sports to do it? Oh well congrats Cam, great work.

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I'm sorry to hear about your dad brother.

I'm with you Ezra....I'm not a big fan of Harry either, but that was Cam's night. It should be all about him. The rest was window dressing.

Cam is a great man and he has been a great Steelers player. Congratulations to him on this prestigious honor. It is a very well deserved honor for a man that inspires others with his actions and his words.

Heyward has expressed a desire to play a few more years, and says he and the Steelers are currently working on a contract extension.

Hopefully we can reduce his cap hit for next season so we can fit DK Metcalf's salary in. :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by hawaiiansteeler

Heyward has expressed a desire to play a few more years, and says he and the Steelers are currently working on a contract extension.

Hopefully we can reduce his cap hit for next season so we can fit DK Metcalf's salary in. :thumbsup:

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It continues to amaze me, the level of play that Cam is capable. He’s had his injuries, but not many.

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Originally Posted by Hawkman

It continues to amaze me, the level of play that Cam is capable. He’s had his injuries, but not many.

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however, he's now 35 and coming off surgery.

yes, he's a team leader and a great person in the community.

but I still wouldn't give him an extension for more money unless it was a very team friendly deal.

Dulac stirred up some BS in regards to saying Cam didn't tell the Steelers of his intention to sit out voluntary OTAs. Cam said Dulac lied. Dulac is beyond a joke now. He is basically a blogger looking for clicks. Sad.

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Originally Posted by hawaiiansteeler

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That’s just dumb. If it’s true…it’s dumb. If it’s not true, it’s dumb.

I have a feeling this is blow back from some media for Cam's recent defense of his holdout. Media members don't like to be questioned. On the other hand, a certain full back with a popular last name did seem to get a pretty generous contract prior to his sibling getting a contract extension.

Too obvious?

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Originally Posted by hawaiiansteeler

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Ehrlich is another joker. Makes up alot of stuff.

Up until this offseason, I thought the world of Cam. Now I'm seeing a side of him that I don't like.

Heyward is back at OTAs.

He said he believes he's still a top-5 player at his position.

Not so sure about that...

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Originally Posted by hawaiiansteeler

Heyward is back at OTAs.

He said he believes he's still a top-5 player at his position.

Not so sure about that...

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As long as he believes it, who cares. I’m pretty sure he is going to retire a Steeler. I would give him a top three at any position on defense when it comes to heart. I know that sounds cliche, but he is committed to Pittsburgh on the field and in the community. Always fun to see him at the children’s hospital. He is a giant and next to those little kids, it almost doesn’t look real. Someone please post a video where Cam is acting like a malcontent. I went searching, and found nothing credible.

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Originally Posted by Hawkman

As long as he believes it, who cares.

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I would ordinarily agree with this, problem is he reportedly wants to be paid accordingly.

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Originally Posted by hawaiiansteeler

I would ordinarily agree with this, problem is he reportedly wants to be paid accordingly.

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“Reportedly”, is the key. I have yet to hear or read anything credible confirming that or the stuff about his brother.

Mark "Fat Boy" Kaboly is reporting that the Steelers and Cam Heyward are close to finalizing a contract extension and expects something to get done "relatively soon".