Former longtime Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, who just finished his second season with the Washington Commanders, was named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year during the league’s annual award show Thursday night in San Francisco.
Seahawks star JSN named NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year
The Man of the Year award is one of the league’s most prestigious honors. It recognizes players who demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact beyond the game, in addition to excelling on the field.
Wagner’s extensive charitable work over the years includes forming the Phenia Mae Fund – named in honor of his late mother – to assist stroke patients and promote stroke prevention. His mother died of a stroke in 2009, when he was a sophomore at Utah State.
“She is and will forever be my rock,” Wagner said during a heartfelt speech at the NFL Honors ceremony. “She’s the reason why I’m standing here. She’s a person that had confidence in me when I didn’t even have confidence in myself.”
“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
The Commanders’ team website provides more details on Wagner’s long history of community work:
“He has been an advocate for mental health and social justice reform, working with local nonprofits and participating in NFL initiatives like Inspire Change, along with establishing a partnership with Children’s National Hospital to launch the Phenia Mae Fund – named in honor of his mother through his FAST54 initiative – in support of the hospital’s pediatric stroke program, marking the fourth such fund he has established for stroke prevention.
“Wagner has been a dedicated champion for entrepreneurship, venture capital, and business development. His commitment is evident in initiatives like the Tackle Everything Tech Tour, most recently completing his third tour in Washington, D.C., through which he highlights the importance of building generational wealth and exposing youth to different industries and leaders in the business and tech space.”
Wagner, 35, was a Super Bowl champion and a six-time first-team All-Pro selection with the Seahawks from 2012 through 2021, serving as a cornerstone in the middle of Seattle’s famed Legion of Boom defense. He spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams, then returned to Seattle for the 2023 season before spending the past two seasons with the Commanders.
Wagner is a 14-year NFL veteran, a 10-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2010s All-Decade Team.
Seattle Sports staff used information from The Associated Press in this report.
Super Bowl: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
• Super Bowl Injury Reports: Seahawks’ Emmanwori DNP on Thursday
• Seattle Seahawks ‘fully expect’ Emmanwori to play in Super Bowl
• Stacy Rost: What we’ve learned about Super Bowl from Radio Row
• Seattle Seahawks’ track record should worry Pats QB Drake Maye
• There’s only one way Pats can beat Seahawks in Super Bowl, insider says
