On Thursday, the NFL announced the representatives from each of the 32 NFL teams for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, their representative this year will be edge defender Alex Highsmith. Here is everything you need to know about the award from the league website.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. The award was established in 1970 and was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame running back, Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community, with one winner selected from the 32 club winners. Each year, club winners are recognized beginning in Week 14 with a WPMOY trophy silhouette helmet decal applied through the end of the season. In addition, all current players who have received this esteemed award are honored with a trophy silhouette patch on the front of their jerseys.
Nationwide and the NFL are proud to recognize these 32 players who are doing so much more than delivering greatness on the field. They are leaders in their community and committed to giving back. The 2025 NFL season marks the 12th year of Nationwide’s sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. During that time, Nationwide has contributed more than $2.3 million to the charitable foundations represented by the various nominees and winners.
The winner of the award each year receives up to a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice, while all 32 club winners receive up to a $40,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.
The winner of this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced live at NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5.
QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) is NOT practicing after he was limited yesterday. So much for that full week of practice for the Ravens QB.
NT Travis Jones also not practicing.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 4, 2025
Here is the list of the 10 most recent Steelers WPMOY representatives.
2025: Alex Highsmith
2024: Larry Ogunjobi
2023: Cameron Heyward (League Winner)
2022: Cameron Heyward
2021: Cameron Heyward
2020: Vance McDonald
2019: Maurkice Pouncey
2018: Cameron Heyward
2017: Cameron Heyward
2016: Arthur Moats
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers EDGE Alex Highsmith named WPMOY representative
