INDIANAPOLIS - Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, the National Football League’s all-time leading passer, was honored with the 2003 PeyBack Award on Sunday, June 29 at Conseco Fieldhouse. PeyBack Foundation President Peyton Manning presented Marino with the award.

Marino joined Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach as a PeyBack honoree. The award goes to someone currently or formerly in professional football who exhibits character, integrity and honor, and who has given something back to the game and society.

“I am honored to receive this award,” Marino said. “I just try to give back to the community as much as I can. Peyton’s in a great situation here in Indianapolis much like I was in South Florida. You do whatever you can to help kids.”

Marino was recognized as part of the Pathfinder Awards, which is held in conjunction with the Youthlinks Indiana Celebrity Golf Tournament sponsored by Indiana Sports Corporation and Indiana Black Expo.

Along with his wife, Claire, Dan established the Dan Marino Foundation to assist the South Florida community in meeting the education, physical and emotional needs of area youth. He opened the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center in 1998 to offer comprehensive health care to children with chronic needs. The Foundation has contributed more than four million dollars to the center.

“Dan was a no brainer for this award,” Manning told the audience. “Everyone has probably heard what he has done on the playing field, retiring as one of the greatest players in NFL history. I could stand up here all night and list all his NFL records. But the thing I always admired about Dan was how he competed on the field. He has brought that same commitment to his work off the field.”

Manning established the PeyBack Foundation in 1999 to promote the future success of disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide necessary leadership and growth opportunities. The PeyBack Foundation has distributed more than $500,000 to youth programs in Indianapolis, Tennessee and in his native New Orleans, including $100,000 in grants in 2002.