"Obviously, I wasn't the only one," Payton said.

Tomlinson and Brees — who finished 1-2 in balloting for The Associated Press' MVP honors — were co-recipients of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. It's the second time the award was shared — Derrick Brooks of Tampa Bay and Jim Flanigan of Chicago were winners for the 2000 season.

"For me, growing up, Walter Payton was the reason why I wanted to play football," said Tomlinson, who set NFL records with 28 rushing touchdowns and 186 points this season. "I remember as a little kid, I was 5 years old, seeing him play and from that point on I told my mother that I wanted to be a football player."

The award honors the Chicago Bears running back who died in 1999 and recognizes a player's role in community service and on-field excellence.

Some recent winners include Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning (2005), Atlanta running back Warrick Dunn (2004), Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis (2001), Miami quarterback Dan Marino (1998), Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman (1997), Washington cornerback Darrell Green (1996). Payton won the award in 1977.

Tomlinson's "L.T.'s 21 Club" works with children, giving them school supplies, tickets to Chargers games and college scholarships. He's also spends time with community leaders and law enforcement officials in the San Diego area, plus helps distribute Thanksgiving turkeys and organizes holiday shopping trips for needy kids.

Brees — who threw for an NFL-leading 4,418 yards and an NFC-best 26 touchdown passes in his first season with the Saints — has been active in efforts to rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. He also still works with charitable causes in San Diego, where he and Tomlinson were teammates from 2001 through 2005.