Cincinnati Bengals Center Ted Karras did not win the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for which he was nominated Thursday night at the NFL Honors, but that in no way dampened his pleasure at being in Las Vegas and showcasing his work with the Village of Mérici.
After touring Radio Row to talk about Merici, a support community for adults with disabilities, Karras and his wife, Rachel, walked the red carpet and stopped to talk to reporters along the way.
Bengals center Ted Karras shares appreciation for Brian Callahan
Karras was asked what he thought of what the Tennessee Titans were getting in former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.
“A great footballer. He’s a guy that’s a pleasure to work with every day,” Karras said. “He knows the game inside and out and can adapt his plan to the personnel he has available. He is very fluid in his diagrams, which I have always really appreciated.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Hayward won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in his sixth year as a team candidate.
Although Karras did not win the prize, he won the associated social media challenge, earning an additional $10,000 for the village of Merici.
YOU DID IT, WHO DEY NATION!
Ted Karras is the @Nationwide #WPMOYChallenge winner ???? pic.twitter.com/vzOufjE3Dn
– Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 9, 2024
It was Karras’ first time being nominated, and he appreciated the honor and enjoyed the new experience.
“Being involved with the Payton family is a tremendous honor,” Karras said on the team’s website. “To be mentioned in the same sentence as Walter is an honor. I can’t even express the magnitude of this feeling.
“I’m still in the whirlwind of Vegas,” he added. “It’s fun to be around all the stars. Jarrett Payton is one of them. It’s good to see my old guys from Boston again. Jason Kelce. I met him for the first time today. Truly an honor to meet him. Probably the most dynamic center ever and a guy I looked up to.
Heyward’s victory gave the Steelers five Man of the Year honors, tying them with the Chiefs for the most wins in the league since the NFL began giving the award in 1969.
The Bengals have had three winners: Ken Anderson in 1975, Reggie Williams in 1986 and Anthony Muñoz in 1991.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Awards Winners – 2023-2024 NFL Honors Results List
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