Across 14 sterling seasons, Bobby Wagner has been the model of consistent success on the field.
A 10-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro who’s unbelievably had more than 100 tackles in each of his seasons, Wagner has set a standard for linebacking excellence on the field.
Wagner’s also been the epitome of excellence off the gridiron, a notion exemplified Thursday night at NFL Honors in San Francisco when he was named the 2026 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
Having lost his mother, Phenia Mae Wagner, years before he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012 due to stroke complications, Wagner created the FAST54 Phenia Mae Fund in partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Cedar Sinai, National Children’s Hospital and Kaiser Permanente. It’s a fund that helps stroke patients while also promoting stroke education.
In addition to his efforts with the Phenia Mae Fund, Wagner’s also advocated for social justice reform and mental health, participated in the NFL’s Inspire Change and brought his commitment to entrepreneurship and business to local teens with his Tackle Everything Tech Tour. He recently completed his third tour in Washington D.C.
Wagner’s a Southern California native who has endeared himself to fans in D.C. over the past two seasons and Seattle, having played 11 seasons and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks franchise. Though recognized on Thursday night, Wagner’s philanthropy and history of giving back to the community has been a hallmark of his decorated career. Over his career, Wagner has been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year four times.
Viewed as the NFL’s most esteemed honor, the NFL Man of the Year award debuted in 1970, with iconic Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas winning. The award recognizes an NFL player for his outstanding community service along with excellence distinction on the playing field. In 1977, Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton was the recipient. The award was renamed in the Hall of Famer’s honor in 1999, the same year the revered Payton died at 46 due to bile duct cancer.
The winner of the award receives up to a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice, while each of the 32 club nominees receives up to a $40,000 donation to his chosen charity.
Wagner is the first Washington player christened NFL Man of the Year since Hall of Famer Darrell Green in 1996.
Having been recognized for his outstanding play for nearly every autumn of a phenomenal career, Wagner’s been a pillar of greatness off of it for just as long during his NFL tenure.
On Thursday night, the centerpiece of so many defenses through the years took center stage as a deserving champion of the NFL.
