By Chuck Garrity
NFL Insider
NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 1, 2002) -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis was named the winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in recognition of his playing excellence and off-the-field community service.
"I'm honored to win this award," Bettis said. "I believe in being a role model for kids to look up to, and feel it is my responsibility to give back to the community. I always try to conduct myself in a proper manner, because I know kids do look up to me."
Bettis, who was joined at the ceremonies by his wife, mother, and other family members, is involved in many charitable organizations in Pittsburgh and his hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
He started his own organization, the Bus Stops Here Foundation, in 1997 to aid underprivileged children. He hosts two youth football camps each year in Western Pennsylvania and Detroit and has created Save Children Opportunity Recreation and Education (S.C.O.R.E.), which helps rejuvenate neighborhood parks and recreation centers, upgrades computer systems, and provides scholarships.
Bettis also has taped a public-service message as spokesperson and participated in Pittsburgh's Race for the Cure, and is a member of the Asthma All-Stars, a national education campaign for asthma treatment.
The award is named after legendary Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton, who died in 1999 of liver cancer.
Bettis was chosen for the award over finalists from the other 30 NFL teams. The winner is selected by a blue-ribbon panel that includes NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Sports Illustrated writer Peter King, football legends Frank Gifford, Jack Kemp and John Mackey, 2000 award co-winners Derrick Brooks and Jim Flanigan, and Payton's widow, Connie.
Winners of the award include 13 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and also some of the greatest names in NFL history.
Here's the full list:
2001 -- Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
2000 -- Jim Flanigan, Chicago Bears and Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay
1999 -- Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikings
1998 -- Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
1997 -- Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys
1996 -- Darrell Green, Washington Redskins
1995 -- Boomer Esiason, New York Jets
1994 -- Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers
1993 -- Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs
1992 -- John Elway, Denver Broncos
1991 -- Anthony Munoz, Cincinnati Bengals
1990 -- Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears
1989 -- Warren Moon, Houston Oilers
1988 -- Steve Largent, Seattle Seahawks
1987 -- Dave Duerson, Chicago Bears
1986 -- Reggie Williams, Cincinnati Bengals
1985 -- Dwight Stephenson, Miami Dolphins
1984 -- Marty Lyons, New York Jets
1983 -- Rolf Benirschke, San Diego Chargers
1982 -- Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins
1981 -- Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers
1980 -- Harold Carmichael, Philadelphia Eagles
1979 -- Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers
1978 -- Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys
1977 -- WALTER PAYTON, Chicago Bears
1976 -- Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
1975 -- Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals
1974 -- George Blanda, Oakland Raiders
1973 -- Len Dawson, Kansas City Chiefs
1972 -- Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs
1971 -- John Hadl, San Diego Chargers
1970 -- Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
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