Latest news with #WalterPaytonNFLManoftheYearAward
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.'
USA Today
04-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
When, how to watch Cowboys Zack Martin's retirement press conference
When, how to watch Cowboys Zack Martin's retirement press conference The end is here for Zack Martin. The nine-time Pro Bowl right guard will officially announce his retirement at The Star in Frisco on Wednesday, March 5 at 11 a.m. CT, the Cowboys have revealed. The press conference will be streamed live from the team website. He was a first-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2014, his selection drawing attention- at first- in that he was not polarizing Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was said to be infatuated with as the team came on the clock. But Martin quickly made a name for himself based on his dominating play in the trenches, earning first-team All-Pro honors as a rookie... and then going on to do it six more times over a total of eleven seasons in Dallas. He would make the second team twice, leaving only two years in which he was not named either the best or second-best right guard in the sport. Though he never got to enjoy deep postseason success, Martin's career will be remembered for consistent excellence. Moving forward, his name will likely always be accompanied by the mind-blowing stat that, over 171 starts (including playoffs), he was flagged for holding a grand total of seven times. Even more incredibly, not one of them ever came on a pass-protection play. Martin suffered an ankle injury during the Cowboys' Week 11 loss to Houston. He had to be helped off the field in what ended up being the final action of his stellar career. A few weeks later, it was announced that Martin would require surgery. Earlier that same day, Martin had been chosen to be the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. "Zack's the best," quarterback Dak Prescott said this week. "It's hard to even fathom a locker room or huddle without Zack Martin. He's been here since I've been here and he's been a warrior. ... You just can't replace him with one guy. It's going to take myself and a bunch of other guys, and I'm not even talking about just on the field. I'm talking about the leadership he brings off of the field." The most dominant offensive lineman of his generation, Martin is widely considered to be a shoo-in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day and perhaps the Cowboys' vaunted Ring of Honor.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Titans' Jeffery Simmons on Jelly Roll: 'Meant the world'
Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons made his way to the NFL Honors ceremony in style. As the team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, this was already a huge honor, and Simmons has spoken openly about how honored he was to be a nominee for the second consecutive year. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. The award is widely considered one of the league's most prestigious honors. On Thursday, Simmons was escorted on the red carpet by none other than superfan Jelly Roll. From #SuperBowlLIX: @JellyRoll615 explains why he went to NFL Honors to support @Titans DL @GrindSimmons94. Simmons said the gesture 'meant the world' to him. 🎥 — Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) February 7, 2025 'Having Jelly Roll here (in support) is big. It's not just big for me, it's big for the Titans.' Simmons said prior to the event. This was a big moment for both Jelly Roll and Simmons, as they got a chance to show the world what #TitanUp stands for. Simmons does a tremendous amount of work with his Give Em A Reason Foundation by hosting giveback initiatives as part of the nonprofit's mission to serve others through youth empowerment and self-esteem-building opportunities. Unfortunately, Simmons did not take home the award, which went to Jacksonville Jaguars' Arik Armstead. But that won't stop him from making an impact in and around the Nashville area for years to come.
