Latest Walter Payton Stories

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (Sports Network) - The second sophomore to win the Walter Payton Award says his team's season was all about the seniors. Taylor Heinicke says the seniors were there first when Old Dominion's fourth-year football program was being built to a high level of success. The Monarchs didn't jump to their highest level, though, until Heinicke became the starting quarterback in the last season and a half, and many other people knew it, including the...

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Colgate's Gavin McCarney is a superb rusher who keeps improving as a passer. Appalachian State's Jamal Jackson is a terrific pocket passer who has the skills to roll out and run the ball effectively. Both quarterbacks have dominated play this season, setting records along the way, while joining the 2012 Walter Payton Award Watch List on Tuesday. The Payton Award, presented by The Sports Network, and in its 26th year, is presented to the...

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (Sports Network) -- It's not often wide receivers and first-year starting running backs have such vital impacts for their teams offensively. But for receivers Erik Lora of Eastern Illinois and Cordell Roberson of Stephen F. Austin and Cal Poly slotback Deonte Williams, it has been the consistency throughout the 2012 season which has led to them being named to the 2012 Walter Payton Award Watch List on Tuesday. The Payton Award, presented...

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellar early season play has led to the addition of quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois and Wynrick Smothers of Central Arkansas, and running back Zach Zenner of South Dakota State to the 2012 Walter Payton Award Watch List. The Payton Award, presented by The Sports Network, and in its 26th year, is presented to the outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision. This year's winner will join a list of Payton Award...

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (Sports Network) - The cobblestone roads of a historical city, Philadelphia, will lead to a historical evening of sports recognition for achievement on the gridiron when The Sports Network brings the Football Championship Subdivision Awards Presentation and Banquet to the City of Brotherly Love this year. It was announced today that the 26(th) annual awards ceremony will be held on Monday evening, December 17(th), 2012, at the Sheraton...

PHILADELPHIA, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walter Payton Award Watch List really is better by the dozen. Twelve of this year's initial 20 nominees were finalists for the award last year. Their candidacy began again Thursday when the race for the 26th annual Payton Award kicked off with The Sports Network's announcement of a stellar Watch List for the Football Championship Subdivision's top individual honor. After the season, the most outstanding player in the FCS will join a...

FRISCO, Texas, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (Sports Network) -- As the injuries mounted for the Eastern Washington football team this season, Bo Levi Mitchell's production increased when most quarterbacks would have endured a decline. Mitchell was all too happy to put the Eagles on his throwing shoulder and carry them. Friday night, the senior was honored for his record-setting season with the 2011 Walter Payton Award, which goes to the outstanding player in the Football...

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- (Sports Network) -- Quarterbacks Chris Lum of Lehigh and Bo Levi Mitchell of Eastern Washington and running back Shakir Bell of Indiana State have been invited to the Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas, for the announcement of the 25th Walter Payton Award. The Sports Network presents and Fathead.com sponsors the FCS' most prestigious award, which is given to the outstanding player in the...

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty finalists for each of the Football Championship Subdivision's top player honors were announced Monday and ballots were sent to the voters of the 2011 Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan awards. The Payton Award, in its 25th year, is given to the outstanding player in the FCS, while the Buchanan Award is bestowed on the outstanding defensive player in the FCS. Each award is presented by The Sports Network and sponsored by...

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The season-long excellence of Appalachian State wide receiver Brian Quick and Towson running back Terrance West earned both players a spot on the Walter Payton Award Watch List on Tuesday, while Coastal Carolina cornerback Josh Norman joined the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List. The 25th Walter Payton Award will honor the outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision and the Buck Buchanan Award is presented to the FCS' outstanding...