Russell Wilson has long been recognized has one of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL.
On Saturday night, the Seahawks quarterback and Sounders FC owner was honored for his tremendous impact off the field, earning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
Originally created in 1970, the award is given annually to a player that exemplifies excellence both on the gridiron and in the community. As the Walter Payton Man of the Year, Wilson will receive $250,000 from the NFL for his Why Not You Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to combatting poverty with education.
"The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, to me, represents excellence, not just on the field, but more importantly off the field," Wilson told Seahawks.