By Chuck Garrity Jr.
NFL Insider

TAMPA, Fla.—For the first time in the history of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, co-winners were announced Friday during Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s Super Bowl XXXV press conference.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro linebacker Derrick Brooks and Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jim Flanigan became the first players to share the honor in the 31-year history of the award.

Commisioner Paul Tagliabue, center, poses with the NFL Man of the Year receipients Derrick Brooks, left, of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jim Flanigan, right, of the Chicago Bears. (AP)

Brooks, who will play in his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl next week in Hawaii, was honored for his work with inner-city children in Tampa through his “Brooks’ Bunch” organization. Brooks, who founded the organization five years ago, has been nationally recognized for taking 20 underprivileged teens to South Africa on a 12-day tour.

“After seeing what Nelson Mandela went through, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride for what we have accomplished,” Brooks said of his visit to Robben Island, the notorious prison where former South African President Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 28 years in prison under the country’s apartheid regime. “Most importantly, it made me pause, sit back, and think about what I say and how I treat other people.

Past Winners
Year	Name	Team
1999	Cris Carter	Vikings
1998	Dan Marino	Dolphins
1997	Troy Aikman	Cowboys
1996	Darrell Green	Redskins
1995	Boomer Esiason	Jets
1994	Junior Seau	Chargers
1993	Derrick Thomas	Chiefs
1992	John Elway	Broncos
1991	Anthony Munoz	Bengals
1990	Mike Singletary	Bears
1989	Warren Moon	Oilers
1988	Steve Largent	Seahawks
1987	Dave Duerson	Bears
1986	Reggie Williams	Bengals
1985	Dwight Stephenson	Dolphins
1984	Marty Lyons	Jets
1983	Rolf Benirschke	Chargers
1982	Joe Theismann	Redskins
1981	Lynn Swann	Steelers
1980	Harold Carmichael	Eagles
1979	Joe Greene	Steelers
1978	Roger Staubach	Cowboys
1977	WALTER PAYTON	Bears
1976	Franco Harris	Steelers
1975	Ken Anderson	Bengals
1974	George Blanda	Raiders
1973	Len Dawson	Chiefs
1972	Willie Lanier	Chiefs
1971	John Hadl	Chargers
1970	Johnny Unitas	Colts

“To win this award that is named after the great Walter Payton is fantastic. Everything my organization does is about helping the kids. I am trying to make a difference off the field. To see the smiles on the kids faces, and to think I was a part of that, is clearly what my foundation is all about.”

Flanigan, the anchor of the Bears’ defensive line for the past seven seasons, was recognized for his work with the James Flanigan Foundation. The foundation raises awareness of child literacy issues through efforts such as the Great American Book Drive, which has delivered more than 700,000 books directly to nearly 400,000 underprivileged children.

“I want children to understand that reading has helped me imagine things beyond what I would ever have known growing up in Wisconsin, going to school at Notre Dame, and playing professional football with the Chicago Bears,” Flanigan said. “My life is rich, but it would not be nearly as rich without the words I have known and the things I have learned through reading. Reading and imagination go hand in hand, and imagination inspires hopes, dreams, and determination.

“I am trying to make reading an essential part of the children’s lives. I am thrilled to receive this award, especially since it honors Bears great Walter Payton, but I know there are many other players in the NFL who deserve this award as much as I do.”

The award is named after the late Bears running back. It is the only league award that recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing experience.

One player from each of the 31 NFL teams is nominated for the award. The names are then reviewed by a blue-ribbon panel, which includes Commissioner Tagliabue, Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King, football greats Frank Gifford, Jack Kemp, and John Mackey, 1999 winner and current Minnesota Vikings star receiver Cris Carter, and Payton’s widow, Connie Payton.

© 1997

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