February 3, 2008

In 2006, Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor received the highest honor attainable by an NFL defensive player when he was recognized as the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year. This year, he was presented with the league’s most prestigious off-field award as he was named the 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year, it was announced today. Taylor becomes the third Dolphin to be bestowed with this honor, joining a pair of Hall of Famers in center Dwight Stephenson (1985) and quarterback Dan Marino (1998).

For the first time in the award’s 37-year history, the winner was announced live on FOX before kickoff of Super Bowl XLII. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Connie Payton, the late Walter Payton’s wife, presented Taylor with the award, the only league recognition that acknowledges a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.

Taylor, the Dolphins’ all-time career sack leader and sixtime Pro Bowl selection, established the Jason Taylor Foundation (JTF) in 2004 with a mission of creating programs that assist South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life. In 2007, the JTF contributed nearly $320,000 to numerous programs and organizations dedicated to assisting young people, and launched the ‘Jason Taylor Reading Room’ in Miramar, Fla., an afterschool program designed to address illiteracy among inner-city youth. Taylor also contributed $50,000 to the Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami to support the ‘Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center,’ a recreational and educational hub for hospitalized children.

“I am extremely humbled to receive an award bearing Walter Payton’s name, as he embodied everything an NFL player should aspire to be, both on and off the field,” Taylor said. “I can’t thank Commissioner Goodell, Mrs. Payton and the rest of the selection committee enough for recognizing our efforts, especially considering the likes of the other three finalists, all of whom are outstanding men. This is without question one of the more special moments of my career, but by no means is it an individual accomplishment. My wife, the Jason Taylor Foundation staff, the Miami Dolphins organization and every member of our community that has contributed their time, energy and love should all share in this honor.

We are tremendously proud of what we have started in South Florida, but we also understand that this is only the beginning; there is so much more that we can and will do.”

“In his 11 seasons, Jason’s contributions to the Miami Dolphins organization can only be matched by his tremendous dedication to the South Florida community,” said Dolphins President Bryan Wiedmeier.

“Through the diligent efforts of his Foundation, he has been able to make a difference in the lives of thousands of young people in our area. Jason is extremely deserving of this prestigious honor, and the Miami Dolphins and all of South Florida are very proud of have him as a part of our family.”

Taylor joins an esteemed list of winners of the annual award, including 17 Pro Football Hall of Famers, that are recognized for their excellence both on the field and in their communities. Recent winners of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award include Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers, co-winners in 2006, Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts (2005) and Warrick Dunn of the Atlanta Falcons (2004).

This year, Taylor was among four finalists for the award, including Steelers WR Hines Ward, Chiefs G Brian Waters and Cowboys TE Jason Witten. Finalists were chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from the 32 team nominees for the award, all of whom receive a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The four finalists will receive an additional $5,000 donation in their name. The selection panel is comprised of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz, Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King, football greats Frank Gifford and Jack Kemp, 2006 co-winners Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson and Connie Payton.

The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will receive the distinctive Gladiator statue, an original art creation by the noted sculptor, Daniel Schwartz. In addition, the player’s favorite charity will receive a $25,000 donation in his name.

WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS

2007 - Jason Taylor, Defensive End - Miami Dolphins

2006 - Drew Brees, QB (N.O.) and LaDainian Tomlinson, RB (S.D.)

2005 - Peyton Manning, Quarterback - Indianapolis Colts

2004 - Warrick Dunn, Running Back - Atlanta Falcons

2003 - Will Shields, Guard - Kansas City Chiefs

2002 - Troy Vincent, Cornerback - Philadelphia Eagles

2001 - Jerome Bettis, Running Back - Pittsburgh Steelers

2000 - Derrick Brooks (Tampa) and Jim Flanigan (Chicago)

1999 - Cris Carter, Wide Receiver - Minnesota Vikings

1998 - Dan Marino, Quarterback - Miami Dolphins

1997 - Troy Aikman, Quarterback - Dallas Cowboys

1996 - Darrell Green, Cornerback - Washington Redskins

1995 - Boomer Esiason, Quarterback - New York Jets

1994 - Junior Seau, Linebacker - San Diego Chargers

1993 - Derrick Thomas, Linebacker - Kansas City Chiefs

1992 - John Elway, Quarterback - Denver Broncos

1991 - Anthony Munoz, Tackle - Cincinnati Bengals

1990 - Mike Singletary, Linebacker - Chicago Bears

1989 - Warren Moon, Quarterback - Houston Oilers

1988 - Steve Largent, Wide Receiver - Seattle Seahawks

1987 - Dave Duerson, Safety - Chicago Bears

1986 - Reggie Williams, Linebacker - Cincinnati Bengals

1985 - Dwight Stephenson, Center - Miami Dolphins

1984 - Marty Lyons, Defensive Tackle - New York Jets

1983 - Rolf Benirschke, Kicker - San Diego Chargers

1982 - Joe Theismann, Quarterback - Washington Redskins

1981 - Lynn Swann, Wide Receiver - Pittsburgh Steelers

1980 - Harold Carmichael, Wide Receiver - Philadelphia Eagles

1979 - Joe Greene, Defensive Lineman - Pittsburgh Steelers

1978 - Roger Staubach, Quarterback - Dallas Cowboys

1977 - Walter Payton, Running Back - Chicago Bears

1976 - Franco Harris, Running Back - Pittsburgh Steelers

1975 - Ken Anderson, Quarterback - Cincinnati Bengals

1974 - George Blanda, Quarterback - Oakland Raiders

1973 - Len Dawson, Quarterback - Kansas City Chiefs

1972 - Willie Lanier, Linebacker - Kansas City Chiefs

1971 - John Hadl, Quarterback - San Diego Chargers

1970 - Johnny Unitas, Quarterback - Baltimore Colts