Since 1970, the NFL has awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award to recognize a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.

The New York Jets have named offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson as the club’s 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Through his D'Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation and the New York Jets Community Relations Department, Ferguson has impacted many lives throughout the tri-state area. As the Jets’ award winner, Ferguson will receive $1,000 from NFL Charities to donate to the D'Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation, his 501(c)(3) organization of choice. Ferguson is eligible to win the national Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and be recognized at a press conference during Super Bowl week in South Florida.  The national winner will receive $25,000 to donate to the 501(c)(3) organization of his choice.