JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award was presented Friday to the Atlanta Falcons' Warrick Dunn for helping to provide homes for single-mother families.
"I'm honored to receive this award," the 30-year-old running back said. "To be in the same company as him (Payton), I'm honored and thankful."
Dunn started the Warrick Dunn Foundation and "Homes for the Holidays" program.
The foundation's Web site says the 8-year-old program "assists single-mother families in owning their first home by providing down-payment assistance" as well as furniture, food, appliances and other needs.
The program, inspired by the death of Dunn's own mother in 1993, has helped more than 50 single mothers and 150 children in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, La., and Tampa, Fla., the foundation said.
The award is named for the Hall of Fame Chicago Bears star who died in 1999. Payton and his wife began the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation to help underprivileged children.
Connie Payton presented the award to Dunn at the Super Bowl media center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Dunn, an eight-year pro, has also played for Tampa Bay. He starred at Florida State in college.
