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Vincent is NFL's Man of the Year
January 24, 2003
Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent was named the 2002 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the NFL announced today.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue made the announcement at his annual Super Bowl news conference.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, named after the legendary Chicago Bears’ running back, is the only NFL award that recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.
He is only the second Eagle to win the award, which has been given annually since 1970. Eagles wide receiver Harold Carmichael won the award in 1980.
Vincent established the “Troy Vincent Foundation” to provide education and services to troubled youths. One of Vincent’s goals is to teach young adults the skills they will need to care for themselves and their families, as well as a chance to improve their lives and ensure that they stay away from crime.
Vincent received the distinctive Gladiator statue, an original art creation by the noted sculptor, Daniel Schwartz. In addition, $25,000 will be given to Vincent from NFL Charities to donate to the charity of choice. Jeweler Chris Aire has donated a watch to this year’s Man of the Year winner to give to his favorite charity.
Vincent is also actively takes leadership roles in several organizations including the Christian Business Network, Philadelphia Business Leadership Series, Professional Business Financial Network, Boys & Girls Club of Trenton, Christian Athletes United for Spiritual Empowerment (CAUSE), and the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Trenton.
Vincent has also worked extensively with the Eagles Youth Partnership, American Cancer Society, Leukemia Foundation, Breast Cancer Foundation.
Vincent currently is a member of the executive committee of the NFL Players’ Association and recently became the Philadelphia spokesperson for “All Pro Dad.”
He volunteered to speak at the 2002 Eagles Youth Partnership’s “Top Achiever” awards ceremony, which recognizes local high school football players for their academic excellence.
In 2000, the New Jersey State Senate and the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame honored Vincent for "his extraordinary talents on the football field and for his generous gifts of time, energy, and resources to the community and its youth."
Vincent addressed the University of Miami football team on September 13 prior to their game versus Temple University and spoke about the responsibilities of being a professional athlete.
Philadelphia Daily News readers also selected Vincent as the Philadelphia athlete who they would want to baby-sit their children.
He was selected in 2000 and 2001 as one of The Sporting News’ “100 Good Guys in Sports" for his civic responsibility and character, and was the Dolphins winner of the 1994 Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given annually to one player on each NFL team for his courage, strength, and leadership.
He has also been honored by the New Jersey General Assembly with “Troy Vincent Day.”
Vincent joins an esteemed list of past winners, which include 13 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Recent winners include 2001 winner Jerome Bettis, co-winners, Derrick Brooks and Jim Flanigan (2000), Cris Carter, Dan Marino, and Troy Aikman.
The accomplishments of the 32 finalists - one from each NFL team - are reviewed by a blue-ribbon panel, which includes Commissioner Tagliabue, Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King. football greats Frank Gifford, Jack Kemp, John Mackey, 2001 winner Jerome Bettis and Connie Payton, wife of the late Walter Payton.
Award for Eagles' VincentPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent won the Walter Payton N.F.L. Man of the Year Award.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue introduced Vincent, who is the first active player to serve on the Pop Warner board of directors.
"Aside for his very visible gift for football, Troy truly is an amazing leader," Tagliabue said. "He spends incredible amounts of time and money helping kids and others in the Philadelphia area and in his hometown of Trenton, N.J."
Vincent established a foundation to provide education and services to troubled youths and to help young adults learn the skills they need to care for themselves and their families. He is active in several charitable organizations in the Philadelphia area and is a member of the executive committee of the players association.
Vincent is the second Eagles player to win the award; Harold Carmichael received it in 1980.
Last year's winner was running back Jerome Bettis of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP)
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, T.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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