Former Giants tackle Steve Wright, an NFL legend with two Super Bowl rings, died Sunday at a care facility in Augusta, Ga. He was 82.
On top of his many accomplishments, Wright is most known for one that lives on to this day: Serving as a model for sculptor Daniel Bennett Schwartz’s design of the Walter Payton Award Man of the Year trophy.
One of the most sought-after trophies in the NFL, the Walter Payton Award trophy is reminiscent of a superhero. It is a bronze trophy of a player with an old-fashioned helmet. The face mask features a piece of metal across the face, with two pieces running downward around the mouth.
The figure, modeled after Wright, stands with his hands on his waist and leaning slightly to one side. He wears an oversized coat, which resembles a cape.
Like the Roberto Clemente Award in MLB, the Walter Payton Award is given to a player in recognition of their excellence on the field as well as their significant contributions to their community.
The Award was established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 in honor of Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton.
Wright played nine NFL seasons, beginning with the Green Bay Packers between 1964-67. In Green Bay, he won two Super Bowls (three NFL Championships) under legendary coach Vince Lombardi.
After three years with the Packers, Wright moved to the Giants, where he played two seasons before playing the next three season on three different teams — the then-Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears and then-St. Louis Cardinals.
Wright was not a recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
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Manny Gómez may be reached at [email protected].