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Pro Football Writers of America

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Officially named the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA), this organization purports to be "The official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public."[1] Goals of the organization include improving access to practices and locker rooms, developing working relationships with all teams, and ensuring that football writers are treated in a professional manner. As of 2005 the group consisted of over 300 writers, editors, and columnists who cover pro football. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter, who covers the Atlanta Falcons, is the organization’s president for 2013-15 term. [2]

The PFWA issues the following awards: an All-NFL team published by Pro Football Weekly, one NFL Most Valuable Player Award (since 1975), the Dick McCann Memorial Award, the George S. Halas Courage Award, the Good Guy award, the Horrigan Award, and the Rozelle Award.

Awards

All-NFL Team

See: All-Pro#Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL Team

NFL Most Valuable Player Award

Main article: National Football League Most Valuable Player Award § Pro Football Writers Association NFL MVP Award

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

PFW/PFWA DefensivePlayer of the Year award (1970–present)

From 1972 to 1991, the Defensive of the Year award was presented by Pro Football Weekly only. PFW and the Professional Football Writers of America combined their awards in 1992. In 2013 the award was presented by PFWA alone.

Season Player Team Position College
1970 Dick Butkus Chicago Bears Middle linebacker Illinois
1971 Alan Page Minnesota Vikings Defensive tackle Notre Dame
1972 Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers [Defensive tackle]] North Texas State
1973 Alan Page Minnesota Vikings Defensive Tackle Notre Dame
1974 Joe Greene Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive tackle North Texas Stats
1975 Jack Ham Pittsburgh Steelers Outside Linebacker Penn State
1976 jack Lambert Pittsburgh Steelers Middle Linebacker Kent State
1977 Harvey Martin Dallas Cowboys Defensive End North Texas Stats
1978 Randy Gradishar [[Denver Broncos Inside Linebakcer Ohio State
1979 Lee Roy Selmon Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive end Oklahoma
1980 Lester Hayes Oakland Raiders Cornerback Texas A&M
1981 Joe Klecko New York Jets Defensive end Temple
1982 Dan Hampton Chicago Bears Defensive tackle Arkansas
1983 Bob Baumhauer Miami Dolphins Defensive tackle Alabama
1984 Kenny Easley Seattle Seahawks Safety UCLA
1985 No Award
1986 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants Outside Linebacker North carolina
1987 Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Tennessee
1988 Mike Singletary Chicago Bears Middle linebacker Baylor
1989 Keith Millard Minnesota Vikings Defensive tackle Washington State
1990 Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End Virginia Tech
1991 Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Tennessee
1992 Cortez Kennedy Seattle Seahawks Defensive Tackle Miami
1993 Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End Virginia Tech
1994 Deion Sanders San Francisco 49ers Cornerback Florida State
1995 Bryce Paup Buffalo Bills Outside Linebacker
1996 Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive End Virginia Tech
1997 Dana Stubblefield San Francisco 49ers Defensive tackle
1998 Reggie White Philadelphia Eagles Defensive end Tennessee
1999 Warren Sapp Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Tackle Miami
2000 Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens Middle Linebacker Miami
2001 Michael Strahan New York Giants Defensive End
2002 Tommy Maddox Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback UCLA
2003 Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens Middle Linebacker Miami
2004 Ed Reed Baltimore Ravens Safety Miami, FL
2005 Brian Urlacher Chicago Bears Middle linebacker New Mexico
2006 Jason Taylor Miami Dolphins Defensive End Akron
2007 Bob Sanders Indianapolis Colts Safety
2008 James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers Outside Linebacker
2009 Charles Woodson Green Bay Packers Cornerback Michigan
2010 Clay Matthews Green Bay Packers Outside linbbacker USC
2011 Terrell Suggs Baltimore Ravens Outside linebacker Arizona State
2012 JJ Watt Houston Texans Defensive End Wisconsin
2013 Robert Quinn St. Louis Rams Defensive End North Carolina

NFL Rookie of the Year Award

Main article: National Football League Rookie of the Year Award § PFW/Pro Football Writers of America NFL ROTY Award

George S. Halas Courage Award

Note: The George S. Halas Courage Award should not be confused with the Newspaper Enterprise Association's George S. Halas Trophy that was awarded to the NFL defensive player of the year from 1966 to 1996 or the NFL's George Halas Trophy that is awarded to the National Football Conference champion.

The George S. Halas Courage Award is given to the player or coach who has performed with abandon despite injury or personal problems.

In May, 1970, the Halas Award went to Gale Sayers for his comeback from knee surgery to lead the NFL in rushing in 1969.[3] In New York, at the Pro Football Writers Association banquet, Gale Sayers gave an emotional speech that was memorialized in the film Brian's Song. Said Sayers, "You flatter me by giving me this award, but I’ll tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. I accept it tonight, but I’ll present it to Brian tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo. And I’d like all of you to love him, too. And tonight, when you hit your knees, ask God to love him, too."[4][5]

Other notable winners of the PFWA Halas Award include Joe Namath[6], Steeler running back Rocky Bleier, Hall of Fame cornerback Jimmy Johnson [7], New York Giant cancer survivor Karl Nelson [8], Hall of Famers Dan Hampton and Joe Montana[9], Denver Broncos guard Mark Schlereth [10], former N.Y. Giant Kerry Collins [11], San Francisco 49ers Garrison Hearst [12] and Bryant Young [13], Carolina coach and former linebacker Sam Mills [14], Dolphins running back Robert Edwards[15], Carolina linebacker Mark Fields[16], Indianapolis Colt Head Coach Tony Dungy,[17] New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees[18], New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft (first NFL owner and first Patriot to receive one) [19] .

Good Guy Award

The Good Guy Award is given to the player who best helps the media do its job. Winners have been Jerome Bettis (2004), Tiki Barber (2005), LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), and Tim Tebow (2012).

Horrigan Award

See: Jack Horrigan

Dick McCann Memorial Award

See: Dick McCann Memorial Award

Rozelle Award

The Rozelle Award is given to the club public relations department that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media.

Past presidents

See also

References

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