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 named fullback Tony Richardson the 2008 Jets Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. As the Jets award winner, Tony received $1,000 to donate to the Rich in Spirit Foundation, his 501(c)(3) organization of choice. He was eligible to win the national Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award and be recognized at a news conference during Super Bowl week in Jacksonville. The national winner receives $25,000 to donate to the 501(c)(3) organization of his choice. Through his Rich in Spirit Foundation and the New York Jets Community Relations Department, Tony has impacted many lives throughout the tri-state area, Kansas City and Minnesota.