January 15, 200917 yr comment_56819 We'll always love and respect you Walter! BIRK, WARNER, DAWKINS ARE FINALISTS FOR THE WALTER PAYTON AWARD Posted by Mike Florio on January 15, 2009, 4:36 p.m. As we recently learned, the NFL has only a handful of official postseason awards. Three, to be precise. The Super Bowl MVP, the Pro Bowl MVP, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. As to the latter prize, the field is down to three players. Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, Vikings center Matt Birk, and Eagles safety Brian Dawkins. Another thing they have in common is that all three players currently are on track to become free agents in less than two months. The award recognizes its recipient for on-field performance and off-field community service, and it is named for the Hall of Fame running back who died ten years ago at age 45. The winner will be named on Friday, January 30. Last year’s winner was defensive end Jason Taylor, then of the Dolphins. Report
January 15, 200917 yr comment_56822 The years have flown by as it only seems like 4-5 years ago he passed away. I just thank GOD Walter was one of our very own. I will always love him ! Report
January 15, 200917 yr comment_56826 I remember the day he passed like it was yesterday. Hearing Virginia McCaskey lose it on the radio made me have to pull of the road to compose myself. We will never forget him. Peace Report
January 15, 200917 yr Author comment_56827 I hear you connor... I was in a restaurant with my folks during college when we heard it on the tv as you walked in, and all 3 of us wept like babies... I remember the day he passed like it was yesterday. Hearing Virginia McCaskey lose it on the radio made me have to pull of the road to compose myself. We will never forget him. Peace Report
January 15, 200917 yr comment_56832 I hear you connor... I was in a restaurant with my folks during college when we heard it on the tv as you walked in, and all 3 of us wept like babies... Best part of the week he passed was I had tickets to the Bears next game in GB. The Packer fans were incredibly nice. Several of them had signs for Walter. At the end of the 3rd quarter the Wisconsin Badgers Tuba section came out on the field with Walter Payton #34 spelled out (each Tuba had a different letter or #). The place went wild. What a great moment of tribute for a great, great player. Peace Report
January 16, 200917 yr Author comment_56833 Worthy adversaries! Best part of the week he passed was I had tickets to the Bears next game in GB. The Packer fans were incredibly nice. Several of them had signs for Walter. At the end of the 3rd quarter the Wisconsin Badgers Tuba section came out on the field with Walter Payton #34 spelled out (each Tuba had a different letter or #). The place went wild. What a great moment of tribute for a great, great player. Peace Report
January 16, 200917 yr comment_56846 Yes it was a sad day, But what a legacy this man left behind. Wow, I never would have thought when he was draftred he would be the most beloved man in football, let alone Chicago. Give to warner this year. He has done bunches here for kids and the needy, I would never award anything to a Viking, and Dawkins is ok but I am pulling for Warner this year to get it. Report
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