DETROIT — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was honored as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year on Friday. For Manning, the honor was magnified by the name on the award.

"The ability to work with and help people in the community is one of the more rewarding opportunities we have as NFL players, which is why this is one of the most meaningful honors I've ever received," Manning said. "Knowing everything that Walter Payton stood for makes the award that much more special."

Connie Payton, Walter's wife, presented Manning with the award, which honors a player for his accomplishments on and off the field.

Payton won the award in 1977. After his death in 1999, the award was named in his honor.

Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas was the first NFL Man of the Year winner. Last year, the award went to Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn.

Manning has been deeply involved in charity work since he left the University of Tennessee and signed with the Colts in 1998.

His PeyBack Foundation has distributed more than $1 million in grants in the last six years. The foundation helps fund programs in Indiana, Tennessee and Louisiana.

His charitable work became more personal in September after Hurricane Katrina devastated his hometown of New Orleans.

He and his brother, Eli, who quarterbacks the New York Giants, flew to New Orleans with 30,000 pounds of relief supplies the week after the hurricane.

The award also was special to Manning's father, Archie, because of his friendship with Payton.

"He used to kid me that I named my son after him," Archie said. "I'd tell him that you spell it differently, but he'd still say, 'No, I know you named him after me.' "

Peyton Manning said his first memory of Payton was as a 4-year-old when Archie and Payton were playing in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Archie briefly lost track of Peyton and older son, Cooper. The next thing he knew, Peyton and Cooper were on a Catamaran with Payton.

"I'm not sure Walter knew what he was doing out there," Peyton Manning said when he retold the story in his acceptance speech.

Said Archie Manning: "I don't think he did, either. But Walter thought he could do anything. He thought he could fly a plane."

Peyton Manning is headed back to Hawaii on Sunday for another Pro Bowl, which will be played the following Sunday.

"We have eight teammates going out there to Hawaii," Manning said. "I'm excited about that."

One of his Pro Bowl-bound teammates is mammoth offensive tackle Tarik Glenn.

"I called and congratulated him," Manning said. "I told him to be sure and bring his Speedo."

Manning said everything is fine between him and his offensive line. He was criticized for his postgame comments after a 21-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC playoffs. Asked to specify his team's problems in dealing with the Steelers' blitz, Manning said at the postgame press conference, "I'm trying to be a good teammate here," as he struggled to answer the question.

"I knew where the question was heading and I was really trying to avoid any insinuation (that his teammates were blameworthy)," Manning said. "I'd said that we had protection problems. When I said 'protection,' that's a concept. That starts with the quarterback, the scheme, you name it.

"I was surprised by the reaction. I don't (blame teammates). I've never put the hat on anybody else in eight years (in the NFL). I'm accountable. It starts with me.

"I've always tried to be a good team player and have a good relationship with my offensive line. Those guys obviously have always taken great care of me and I try to take care of them."

Manning said he had gotten over the season-ending defeat to the Steelers and is pointing toward next season.

"You've seen teams in the past that haven't gotten over it," he said. "We've had some disappointing games, but we've bounced back and reloaded.

"Pittsburgh outplayed us that day. We'll try to be a better team for it."