Latest news with #NFLManoftheYearAward
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steve Wright, former Packers player from 1964-1967, dead at 82
Steve Wright, an offensive lineman who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1964 to 1967, died June 1 in Augusta, Georgia. He was 82. Wright was drafted by the Packers out of Northern Iowa University in the sixth round, 69th overall, in the 1964 draft. He was drafted in the eighth round by the New York Jets of the then-separate American Football League. Advertisement Wright played 56 games for the Packers at tackle, starting 13 of them. He was on three NFL championship teams and two Super Bowl winners. Over the next five years, he played for the New York Giants, Washington, the Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his career playing in the World Football League. Packers historian Cliff Christl wrote that "Lombardi was intrigued enough by Wright's size — he stood 6-foot-6 and weighed 250 pounds — and potential that he moved (Forrest) Gregg to left guard in place of Fuzzy Thurston and started Wright at right tackle for the first 11 games." Lombardi took Wright from the starting lineup beginning with game 12. Steve Wright, Green Bay Packers tackle,1964-67. He died June 1. He was 82. "'Coach Lombardi was tough and wanted perfection, but unfortunately I wasn't perfect,' Wright told Martin Hendricks for a Packers Plus story in 2015. 'He'd chew me up and down one minute and 15 minutes later tell me to do what I tell you to do and you'll be OK,'" Christl wrote. Advertisement His more lasting legacy was that while playing for the Giants he served as the model for Gladiator Award trophy, of which Packers quarterback Bart Starr was the first recipient. The next year it was renamed the NFL Man of the Year Award, and now is called the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The name was changed, but the trophy's statue remains the same. Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@ Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Steve Wright, former Packers player from 1964-1967, dead at 82
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dolphins first-round pick Kenneth Grant has sights set on prestigious NFL award
Dolphins first-round pick Kenneth Grant has sights set on prestigious NFL award Miami Dolphins first-round draft pick Kenneth Grant is setting some lofty goals for himself in the NFL. In his first interview with Dolphins reporters, the 331-pound defensive tackle said he's hoping to win an award that only three Miami players have ever earned. "I want to accomplish the (Walter Payton NFL) Man of the Year Award," Grant said Thursday night, not long after he became the No. 13 overall pick. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award has existed since 1970 (it was called just the NFL Man of the Year Award prior to 1999) and previous winners include Dolphins legends Dwight Stephenson, Dan Marino, and Jason Taylor. The award recognizes a player's commitment to philanthropy and impact in the community, but it also goes to players who show excellence on the field. The three Dolphins winners were all in the later years of Hall of Fame careers when they earned the distinction. For Grant to have a shot at Man of the Year honors, he'll have to make a significant impact on the field. That's certainly on his list of goals, too. "I also want to accomplish winning a Super Bowl, winning all of the individual accolades for myself," Grant said. "I think this addition to the Miami Dolphins, me and myself, it's going to be one for the books.'
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Titans' Jeffery Simmons lands on PFF's top 101 list
The Tennessee Titans had a horrid 2024 season. The offensive line looked awful, the quarterback position was a mess, special teams couldn't get its act together, and nothing Brian Callahan tried was effective. The lone bright spot in 2024 was the defense, which ranked near the top of the league for the entire season. One of the reasons the Titans' defense was strong is because of the effort of Jeffery Simmons. A leader on the line, Simmons took T'Vondre Sweat under his wing and the two were a dominating force despite the losses. Simmons performed well enough in 2024 that Pro Football Focus placed him on their top 101 players list. 74. DI Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans Simmons headlined a Tennessee defensive tackle unit that finished second in the NFL in overall grade. Individually, he earned an 81.6 pass-rush grade that placed him seventh among qualified defensive tackles. This was Simmons' third out of six career seasons with an 80.0-plus overall grade. Simmons was second in tackles for the Titans, behind linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. Simmons recorded 76 tackles (41 solo), five sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He may not have done it alone, but he played a vital role in the Titans' defensive success in 2024. Jeffery Simmons would love to see Abdul Carter on Titans Titans' Jeffery Simmons added to Pro Bowl roster Jeffery Simmons nominated for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans' Jeffery Simmons lands on PFF's top 101 list
