COLUMBUS, Ohio — Cameron Heyward, former Ohio State football player and current Pittsburgh Steeler, received the Walter Payton Man of the Year award Thursday night.
The award, which is named after former Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton, "recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field," according to the NFL's website.
The NFL said it decided on Heyward for becoming a "leading voice in the locker room" and noted he's known for being one of the best defensive tackles in the league. Over his 13 years in the NFL, he has 78.5 career sacks — the most a Steelers defensive lineman has had and third-most in franchise history.
On the field, he has gotten six Pro Bowls, three Associated Press First Team All-Pros, three Pro Football Focus First Team All-Pro titles and more. Off the field, he's known for his philanthropy efforts within Pittsburgh, including a toy and coat drive with the Foster Love Project, a Teachers' Appreciation Dinner and he toured a haven for children struggling with the loss of a loved one.
"Heyward's character and his contributions to his community have been consistently recognized by his teammates, the Pittsburgh media and community, and Steelers' leadership. But of all the people he shows up for, his family means the most. And to Heyward, being a great son, brother, husband, and father means teaching his children the value of service by taking them to community events," the NFL wrote on its website.
Heyward is also the first Ohio State player to win the award since 1999, when Minnesota Vikings Cris Carter received the award.
For more details on Heyward's award, click here.