© Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The annual NFL discussion regarding the Walter Payton Man of the Year award is back. The nominees were announced on Tuesday. 

For the New Orleans Saints, a fan favorite veteran got the nod.

Tyrann Mathieu is the Saints' nominee for the WPMOY.

New Orleans Saints S Tyrann Mathieu has been named the club's 2023 Man of the Year, making him the club nominee for the National Football League Walter Payton Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide is the league's most prestigious honor and acknowledges NFL players who excel on the field and demonstrate a passion for creating a lasting positive impact beyond the game in their communities. This is the second time that Mathieu has been a team nominee, having first been nominated in 2021 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

-- New Orleans Saints

The award is always held in very high regards. It's an honor that looks far past the football field.

Nominees are honored for their duties off the field in their communities. It's extremely important to players and the entire NFL.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. The award was established in 1970. It was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community.

Representing the best of the NFL's commitment to philanthropy and community impact, 32 players are selected as their team's Man of the Year and become eligible to win the national award.

The winner of the award each year receives a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice. All 32 nominees receive up to a $55,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide. -- NFL.com

Mathieu is an exceptional example of what this award stands for, and he is a strong nominee. The Saints are proud to have him.

Dallas Cowboys QB Dan Prescott won the award in 2022. No player in Saints franchise history has won the award. Mathieu was nominated for the honor in 2021 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

The winner of this year's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced live at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 8th at 8 P.M. CT on CBS.

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