SAN FRANCISCO (AP) 鈥� Bobby Wagner’s mother always told him she believed he would make it to the NFL, encouraging him after her son’s firing from the only job he ever had aside from football.
The Washington Commanders linebacker lost mom Phenia Mae because of complications following a stroke in May 2009 鈥� she was only 47. His charitable work honoring her legacy long after her passing through financial assistance for stroke research and rehabilitation with the Phenia Mae Fund earned Wagner the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for 2025 on Thursday night.
Wagner gave a shoutout to father Bobby Sr. and thanked him because 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 realize how hard it was to be a father until I got two kids of my own.鈥�
Then he turned his emotional speech to his mother.
鈥淚 cannot be up here and not talk about my mom,” he said. “She is and will ever be my rock, she鈥檚 the reason why I鈥檓 standing up here. She鈥檚 the person that had confidence in me when I didn鈥檛 even have confidence in myself.鈥�
Wagner shared how he had his only other job for about a month before being dismissed. His mom asked why he was working, to which he said he was trying to contribute to the family.
Her response: 鈥淣ah, I really feel like you can make it to the league and I want you to focus on that.”
鈥淎nd she said, 鈥業 got you,’鈥� he said. 鈥淭hose words always ring in my ear. Every time I try to help somebody, every time I see somebody in need, I say, 鈥業 got you.鈥欌��
The 35-year-old Wagner almost didn’t attend Thursday’s NFL Honors festivities.
鈥淚 really didn’t think I was going to win this award. I almost didn’t even come to be honest,鈥� he said, 鈥淚’m glad I did.鈥�
___
AP NFL:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
