Heyward, rewarded for a lifetime of giving, named NFL's Man of the Year

Cam Heyward was named the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner at the NFL Honors ceremony in Las Vegas Thursday night, becoming the fifth Steeler to earn the achievement. 

Heyward's reward will be a $250,000 donation to a charity of his choosing. He was selected for this award among a nominee from every other NFL team. 

The award winner is selected by a panel including NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell, Mr. Payton's widow Connie Payton, the previous year's winner, and a number of former players. As described by the NFL, a nominee for this award "supports a range of initiatives off the field that are important to them and their communities, including empowering youth to lead healthy lifestyles, supporting veterans and bringing awareness to other causes close to their hearts."

"Ever since I've been a Pittsburgh Steeler, I've always thought God and my dad had a plan for me and I'm living it right now," Heyward said, in part, in his acceptance speech. "I want to say thank you to the Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me this opportunity. Mike (Tomlin), it's an honor to be coached by you and I couldn't play for any other coach. To my teammates, I'm thankful to be your teammate. There's not a day that goes by that I'm not touched, I don't get a chance to interact with you guys that you push me, give me a chance to give back, and you support me."

He has been nominated for this award six times in his 13-year NFL career. He joins Franco Harris (1976), Mean Joe Greene (1979), Lynn Swann (1981) and Jerome Bettis (2001) as Steelers to earn the award.

Heyward's list of philanthropic endeavors is a long one, but he kicked everything up a notch in the final week of October with his "Cam's Kindness Week" through his Heyward House Foundation.

Heyward went to UPMC Children's Hospital to throw a launch party for his week, record a book reading and play games with kids, and buy lunch for healthcare staffers and patients' parents.

That was just on the Monday of that week.

TAYLOR OLLASON / STEELERS

Cam Heyward visits UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh during 'Cam's Kindness Week' in October.

Heyward also met with students at Woodland Hills High School, shared a meal with justice-involved youth at the Downtown restaurant Café Momentum, spoke with children and volunteers and helped participate in group art therapy at The Caring Place, bought formal outfits and had dinner with kids from the Westinghouse Academy football team and opened a new "Craig's Closet" location at Brashear High School.

Heyward was involved in community service from the time he was drafted in 2011 and has been a consistent presence within the city. His first endeavor was within Urban Impact in 2011, and he established his foundation in 2014. In 2017, he collaborated with The Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation in memory of his father, Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward, who died of brain cancer in 2006 at age 39. He launched "Craig's Closet" in 2018, and there are now 16 locations with more on the way. That led to his "Suiting Up for Success" mentorship program that helps nominees connect with professionals in an industry aligned with their interests.

"When I talk about my family I talk about my mom. When my dad passed away there was only one person who stepped up for my family," Heyward said of his mother, Charlotte Heyward, the executive director of the Heyward House. "She stepped up for my foundation. I play football and I get a chance to give back, but I can't do everything. She picks up the slack for our foundation. There's not anybody in Pittsburgh that doesn't know her name, and it's all for the right reasons."

In 2020, he launched the "Rufus and Judy Jordan Literacy Project" in memory of his grandfather, who was an educator in Pittsburgh Public Schools. His "Blessings In A Backpack" has provided more than 9,300 meals to kids.

Since 2018, Heyward has donated more than $280,000 to various organizations through the Steelers Social Justice Fund.

"This award is great and I appreciate it, but I understand I've got more work to do," Heyward said. "I've got to make sure I represent this man every day going forward."

Heyward will be made available to reporters in a conference call at 11:30 a.m. Friday.