NFL Most Valuable Player Award
The National Football League Most Valuable Player Award (NFL MVP) is an award given by various entities to the American football player who is considered the most valuable in the National Football League (NFL) during the regular season. Organizations which currently give an NFL MVP award or have in the past include the Associated Press (AP), the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), and United Press International (UPI). The first award described as a most valuable player award was the Joe F. Carr Trophy, awarded by the NFL from 1938 to 1946. Today, the AP award is considered the de facto official NFL MVP award.[1] Since the 2011 season, the NFL has held the annual NFL Honors ceremony to recognize the winner of the Associated Press MVP award.[2]
Associated Press NFL MVP award
The AP has presented an MVP award since 1957.[3][4] The award is voted upon by a panel of 50 sportswriters at the end of the regular season, before the playoffs, though the results are not announced to the public until the day before the Super Bowl.
Pro Football Writers Association NFL MVP award
Pro Football Writers of America began naming their most valuable player in 1975 and continue to do so as of the 2017 season.[1][5]
| Season | Player | Team | Position | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Fran Tarkenton | Minnesota Vikings | Quarterback | |
| 1976 | Bert Jones | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback | |
| 1977 | Walter Payton | Chicago Bears | Running back | |
| 1978 | Earl Campbell | Houston Oilers | Running back | |
| 1979 | Earl Campbell (2) | Houston Oilers | Running back | |
| 1980 | Brian Sipe | Cleveland Browns | Quarterback | |
| 1981 | Ken Anderson | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback | |
| 1982 | Dan Fouts | San Diego Chargers | Quarterback | |
| 1983 | Joe Theismann | Washington Redskins | Quarterback | |
| 1984 | Dan Marino | Miami Dolphins | Quarterback | |
| 1985 | Marcus Allen | Los Angeles Raiders | Running back | |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker | |
| 1987 | Jerry Rice | San Francisco 49ers | Wide receiver | [6] |
| 1988 | Boomer Esiason | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback | [7] |
| 1989 | Joe Montana | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback | |
| 1990 | Randall Cunningham | Philadelphia Eagles | Quarterback | |
| 1991 | Thurman Thomas | Buffalo Bills | Running back | |
| 1992 | Steve Young | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback | |
| 1993 | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys | Running back | |
| 1994 | Steve Young (2) | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback | [8] |
| 1995 | Brett Favre | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback | |
| 1996 | Brett Favre (2) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback | |
| 1997 | Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | Running back | |
| 1998 | Terrell Davis | Denver Broncos | Running back | |
| 1999 | Kurt Warner | St. Louis Rams | Quarterback | |
| 2000 | Marshall Faulk | St. Louis Rams | Running back | |
| 2001 | Marshall Faulk (2) | St. Louis Rams | Running back | |
| 2002 | Rich Gannon | Oakland Raiders | Quarterback | |
| 2003 | Jamal Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | Running back | |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback | |
| 2005 | Shaun Alexander | Seattle Seahawks | Running back | |
| 2006 | LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers | Running back | |
| 2007 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots | Quarterback | |
| 2008 | Peyton Manning (2) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback | |
| 2009 | Peyton Manning (3) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback | |
| 2010 | Tom Brady (2) | New England Patriots | Quarterback | |
| 2011 | Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback | |
| 2012 | Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | Running back | |
| 2013 | Peyton Manning (4) | Denver Broncos | Quarterback | [9] |
| 2014 | Aaron Rodgers (2) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback | [10] |
| 2015 | Cam Newton | Carolina Panthers | Quarterback | [1] |
| 2016 | Matt Ryan | Atlanta Falcons | Quarterback | [11] |
| 2017 | Tom Brady (3) | New England Patriots | Quarterback | [12] |
Sporting News NFL Player of the Year award
Sporting News began awarding a National Football League (NFL) player of the year award in 1954. From 1970 to 1979, Sporting News chose American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) players of the year, and returned to a single winner in 1980. Beginning in 2012 Sporting News chose an offensive player of the year and a defensive player of the year.[13][14]
| Season | Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Lou Groza | Cleveland Browns | Tackle-K |
| 1955 | Otto Graham | Cleveland Browns | Quarterback |
| 1956 | Frank Gifford | New York Giants | Running back |
| 1957 | Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns | Fullback |
| 1958 | Jim Brown (2) | Cleveland Browns | Fullback |
| 1959 | Johnny Unitas | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1960 | Norm Van Brocklin | Philadelphia Eagles | Quarterback |
| 1961 | Paul Hornung | Green Bay Packers | Running back |
| 1962 | Y. A. Tittle | New York Giants | Quarterback |
| 1963 | Y. A. Tittle (2) | New York Giants | Quarterback |
| 1964 | Johnny Unitas (2) | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1965 | Jim Brown (3) | Cleveland Browns | Running back |
| 1966 | Bart Starr | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1967 | Johnny Unitas (3) | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1968 | Earl Morrall | Baltimore Colts | Quarterback |
| 1969 | Roman Gabriel | Los Angeles Rams | Quarterback |
| 1970 | NFC- John Brodie AFC- George Blanda |
San Francisco 49ers Oakland Raiders |
Quarterback QB-K |
| 1971 | NFC- Roger Staubach AFC- Bob Griese |
Dallas Cowboys Miami Dolphins |
Quarterback Quarterback |
| 1972 | NFC- Larry Brown AFC- Earl Morrall (2) |
Washington Redskins Miami Dolphins |
Running back Quarterback |
| 1973 | NFC- John Hadl AFC- O.J. Simpson |
Los Angeles Rams Buffalo Bills |
Quarterback Running back |
| 1974 | NFC- Chuck Foreman AFC- Ken Stabler |
Minnesota Vikings Oakland Raiders |
Running back Quarterback |
| 1975 | NFC- Fran Tarkenton AFC- O. J. Simpson (2) |
Minnesota Vikings Buffalo Bills |
Quarterback Running Back |
| 1976 | NFC- Walter Payton AFC- Ken Stabler (2) |
Chicago Bears Oakland Raiders |
Running back Quarterback |
| 1977 | NFC- Walter Payton (2) AFC- Craig Morton |
Chicago Bears Denver Broncos |
Running back Quarterback |
| 1978 | NFC- Archie Manning AFC- Earl Campbell |
New Orleans Saints Houston Oilers |
Quarterback Running back |
| 1979 | NFC- Ottis Anderson AFC- Dan Fouts |
St. Louis Cardinals San Diego Chargers |
Running back Quarterback |
| 1980 | Brian Sipe | Cleveland Browns | Quarterback |
| 1981 | Ken Anderson | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback |
| 1982 | Mark Moseley | Washington Redskins | Kicker |
| 1983 | Eric Dickerson | Los Angeles Rams | Running back |
| 1984 | Dan Marino | Miami Dolphins | Quarterback |
| 1985 | Marcus Allen[15] | Los Angeles Raiders | Running back |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1987 | Jerry Rice | San Francisco 49ers | Wide Receiver |
| 1988 | Boomer Esiason | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback |
| 1989 | Joe Montana | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1990 | Jerry Rice (2) | San Francisco 49ers | Wide Receiver |
| 1991 | Thurman Thomas | Buffalo Bills | Running back |
| 1992 | Steve Young | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1993 | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys | Running back |
| 1994 | Steve Young (2) | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback |
| 1995 | Brett Favre | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1996 | Brett Favre (2) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 1997 | Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | Running back |
| 1998 | Terrell Davis | Denver Broncos | Running back |
| 1999 | Kurt Warner | St. Louis Rams | Quarterback |
| 2000 | Marshall Faulk | St. Louis Rams | Running back |
| 2001 | Marshall Faulk (2) | St. Louis Rams | Running back |
| 2002 | Rich Gannon | Oakland Raiders | Quarterback |
| 2003 | Peyton Manning | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning (2) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback |
| 2005 | Shaun Alexander | Seattle Seahawks | Running back |
| 2006 | LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers | Running back |
| 2007 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots | Quarterback |
| 2008 | Peyton Manning (3) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback |
| 2009 | Peyton Manning (4) | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback |
| 2010 | Tom Brady (2) | New England Patriots | Quarterback |
| 2011 | Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 2012 | Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | Running back |
| 2013 | Peyton Manning (5) | Denver Broncos | Quarterback |
| 2014 | Aaron Rodgers (2) | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback |
| 2015 | Cam Newton | Carolina Panthers | Quarterback |
| 2016 | Tom Brady (3) | New England Patriots | Quarterback |
| 2017 | Tom Brady (4) | New England Patriots | Quarterback |
Defunct awards
Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL MVP award
The Newspaper Enterprise Association presented its MVP award from 1955 to 2008.[16] The winner was chosen by a poll of NFL players and received the Jim Thorpe Trophy,[17] which by 1975 was described as "one of the pros' most coveted honors."[18] Beginning in 1997, the trophy was presented by the Jim Thorpe Association, with the winner determined by a "vote of NFLPA representatives".[19]
Joe F. Carr Trophy
The Joe F. Carr Trophy was the first award in the NFL to recognize a most valuable player. It was named in honor of NFL commissioner Joseph Carr and remains the only MVP award the NFL has officially sanctioned.[39]
| Season | Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Mel Hein | New York Giants | Center, linebacker |
| 1939 | Parker Hall | Cleveland Rams | Quarterback, halfback |
| 1940 | Ace Parker | Brooklyn Dodgers | Quarterback, halfback |
| 1941 | Don Hutson | Green Bay Packers | End |
| 1942 | Don Hutson (2) | Green Bay Packers | End |
| 1943 | Sid Luckman | Chicago Bears | Quarterback |
| 1944 | Frank Sinkwich | Detroit Lions | Halfback |
| 1945 | Bob Waterfield | Cleveland Rams | Quarterback |
| 1946 | Bill Dudley | Pittsburgh Steelers | Halfback |
United Press International NFL MVP/POY award
United Press International gave an NFL MVP/player of the year award from 1948 through 1969, excepting 1949–50, and 1952. In 1970 UPI instituted separate awards for the NFC and AFC. In 1975 UPI added a Defensive Player of the Year Award for both the NFC and AFC.[40]
See also
- American Football League Most Valuable Player Award
- Bert Bell Award
- Football Digest § NFL Player of the Year
- Sporting News NFL Player of the Year Award
- UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year
- UPI NFC Player of the Year
- Washington D.C. Touchdown Club § NFL Player of the Year awards
References
- General
- "Joe F. Carr Trophy (MVP) Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
- "UPI NFL Most Valuable Player Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- "Newspaper Ent. Assoc. NFL Most Valuable Player Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- "AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- "PFWA NFL Most Valuable Player Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- Footnotes
- ^ a b c Bieler, Des (January 20, 2016). "Pro Football Writers name Cam Newton their NFL MVP". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "First-ever 'NFL Honors' show will be hosted by Baldwin in Indy". NFL.com. National Football League. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Kreinberg, Jake (February 3, 2016). "How we count the votes for the NFL's top awards". insights.ap.org. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "PFWA NFL Most Valuable Player Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "49er Rice Named 'Most Valuable'". Tyrone Daily Herald. United Press International. January 21, 1988. p. 4. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Esiason named MVP by Writers Association". The Evening News. Associated Press. January 11, 1989. p. 2B. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ "Writers Choose 49ers Young As Mvp". Sun-Sentinel. January 25, 1995. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Adams, Justin (January 15, 2014). Denver Broncos Peyton Manning named Pro Football Writers of America's MVP, Offensive Player of Year. TheDenverChannel.com. Archived February 3, 2014, at the Wayback MachineRetrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ Mike Spofford (2015-01-14). "Green Bay Packers – Official Blog | Aaron Rodgers wins first league MVP award of 2014". Blog.packers.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Cunningham, Michael (January 18, 2017). "Pro Football Writers vote Falcons' Matt Ryan MVP". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on January 19, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Brady 2017 NFL MVP; Gurley OPOY; Campbell DPOY - PFWA". profootballwriters.org. 17 January 2018. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ [1] Archived July 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Barry Wilner (2013-04-04). "Adrian Peterson Wins 2012 Offensive Player Of The Year Award". Huffingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Allen honored". The Galveston Daily News. Associated Press. January 23, 1986. p. 20. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Newspaper Ent. Assoc. NFL Most Valuable Player Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Olderman, Murray (December 16, 1960). "Van Brocklin Gets Jim Thorpe Trophy". The Telegraph. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 12. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ "Harlon Hill Elected for Hall of Fame". Times Daily. October 26, 1975. p. 23. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ Jim Thorpe Association Yearbook, 2007.
- ^ Grainger, Charles (February 20, 1957). "Harlon Hill Due For Six Months' Army Service". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ "Giants' Frank Gifford Named Top Star in NFL by Players". The Pittsburgh Press. December 20, 1956. p. 24. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (December 20, 1957). "John Unitas Wins Jim Thorpe Trophy". Miami Daily News-Record. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 5. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Olderman, Murray (December 16, 1958). "Cleveland's Jimmy Brown Grabs Jim Thorpe Trophy". TimesDaily. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 7. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (December 20, 1959). "Giant Ace Wins Thorpe Title". Gadsden Times. Newspaper Enterprise Association. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (December 27, 1961). "Players Name Tittle Thorpe Trophy Winner". The Telegraph. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 12. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (December 18, 1962). "Thorpe Trophy Won By Packer Fullback". The Evening Sun. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 10. Retrieved February 15, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tittle and Brown Win Thorpe Trophy". The Fort Scott Tribune. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 23, 1963. p. 11. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (December 18, 1964). "Thorpe Trophy Caps Len Moore's Comeback". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 36. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ "11th Annual Thorpe Trophy Goes To Cleveland's Brown". The Bristol Daily Courier. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 28, 1965. p. 21. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Olderman, Murray (December 22, 1966). "Bart Starr Is Selected Jim Thorpe Award Winner". Standard-Speaker. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 25. Retrieved February 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (December 29, 1967). "Unitas Claims Jim Thorpe Cup". The Daily Mail. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (December 26, 1968). "Earl Morrall Wins Jim Thorpe Trophy". The Daily Herald. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 12. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Olderman, Murray (December 25, 1969). "Roman Gabriel Wins Jim Thorpe Award". The Gastonia Gazette. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 37. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Olderman, Murray (December 29, 1970). "John Brodie Wins The 1970 Jim Thorpe Award". Pampa Daily News. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 8. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Bob Griese Gets Thorpe Trophy As Top Player". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. January 5, 1972. p. 4. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ "Jim Thorpe award goes to Tarkenton". Gadsden Times. Newspaper Enterprise Association. January 21, 1976. p. 30. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ "Campbell wins Thorpe". Park City Daily News. December 26, 1979. p. 4-B. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ Olderman, Murray (January 18, 1981). "Earl Campbell: a triple champ". The Nevada Daily Mail. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 10. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ Turney, John (February 21, 2015). "Dutch Clark's Missing 1937 MVP Award". nflfootballjournal.com. Pro Football Journal. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. Bob Carroll. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780062701749 pg. 389.
- ^ "Connerly Named Prize Rookie; Harder Honored". The Tuscaloosa News. United Press. December 15, 1948. p. 13. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ "Graham Picked As Top Player In Pro League". Spokane Daily Chronicle. United Press. December 23, 1953. p. 11. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ "Perry Top Pro Gridman of '54". The Bend Bulletin. United Press. December 22, 1954. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Tittle, Francis Feted at Million Dollar Dinner". The Bulletin. United Press. January 29, 1958. p. 3. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ Wright, Earl (January 8, 1959). "Brown Named Standout Pro Gridder of Season". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. United Press International. p. 14. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Buck Shaw Is Coach Of Year; Van Brocklin Also Honored". Daily Independent Journal. United Press International. December 23, 1960. p. 7. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)