Former Ohio State football DT Cameron Heyward named NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year

Former Ohio State and current Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was named as the the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The award recognizes an NFL player for his "excellence on and off the field" and honors former Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.

Heyward is the first Ohio State player to earn the Walter Payton Man of the Year award since Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter in 1999.

Heyward, who has been a six-time nominee during his 13-year NFL career, will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

In 2023, Heyward started an annual toy and coat drive with the Foster Love Project in the Pittsburgh area, giving gifts and coats to kids in foster care. He also hosted a Teachers' Appreciation Dinner where he gave a donation of $10,000 to fund teaches' classroom projects.

Heyward played in 11 games in 2023, posting 33 tackles with 2 sacks.

When he was sidelined with a groin injury for six games, Heyward hosted injured high school athletes to watch practice, meet the team and engage in discussions about overcoming adversity.

Heyward also held his second annual Cam's Kindness Week where he met with athletes from several local high schools and visited UPMC Children's Hospital and The Caring Place, "a haven for children struggling with the loss of a loved one."

Heyward has earned six Pro Bowl trips, three Associated Press first-team All-Pro honors and three Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL honors, while becoming the second Steelers' defensive tackle to be voted AP first-team All-Pro more than once.

Heyward has 78.5 career sacks and 116 tackles for loss after recording 37.5 tackles-for-loss and 15.5 sacks at Ohio State.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former OSU DT Cameron Heyward named NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year