Bobby Wagner Named Walter Payton Man Of The Year
Feb 5, 2026, 9:29 PM
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 22: Bobby Wagner #54 of the Washington Commanders reacts after a missed field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
(Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Former Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner was named the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year at NFL Honors on Thursday.
The ten-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro selection brought home the award on his fourth time being nominated by his team.
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The Walter Payton Man of the Year award “recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community.”
For all three cities that have been lucky enough to host Wagner, his impact has been felt immensely.
Wagner dedicated his win to his late mother, who died before he was drafted into the NFL due to stroke complications. That led him to create the FAST54 Phenia Mae Fund that assists stroke patients.
“She’s the reason why I’m standing up here. She’s the person who had confidence in me when I didn’t even have confidence in myself.”
An emotional speech in honor of his mom from Bobby Wagner after being named Walter Payton Man of the Year 👏 pic.twitter.com/L0LRnkYkj0
— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2026
About Bobby Wagner
After a college career at Utah State, the Southern California native was selected by the Seahawks during the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Wagner helped Seattle win Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013.
After spending the first 10 seasons of his career with the Seahawks, Wagner joined Seattle’s NFC West rival on March 31, 2022. The six-time All-Pro player was released by the Seahawks on March 8, 2022.
In 2023, the former USU standout returned to Seattle and received his ninth career AP All-Pro honor. Wagner has been named to the All-Pro first team six times and three times to the second team during his 11-year NFL career.
Wagner then went on to join the Washington Commanders, where he was an integral part of the team’s AFC championship run in 2024. In two seasons in the nation’s capital, the former Aggie has recorded 294 total tackles (154 solo), 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.
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