Feb. 1, 2002
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Former Notre Dame All-American and current Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis today 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.”
It marked the second straight year a former Notre Dame player won the award, following Jim Flanigan in 2000. Previous winners from Notre Dame are Dave Duerson (1987) and Joe Theismann (1982).
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, Mich.
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 finished with 1,912 career rushing yards at Notre Dame in 1990-91-92, including 27 rushing scores. He earned second-team All-America honors in ’92.
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 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 (former Note Dame players in bold):
- 2001 — Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2000 — Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay, and Jim Flanigan, Chicago
- 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