
The NFL presents various awards annually to honor the achievements of the players and teams for their exceptional performance on or off the field. The NFL Honors is where these awards are presented take place on Thursday before the Super Bowl. Previously, from 2012 to 2021 it used to take place a day before Super Bowl. From 2012 to 2020 this annual ceremony was pre-recorded before and the first live broadcast took place on February 6, 2021, in a few selected markets. Two types of awards are handed out in this ceremony: Team and Individual.
List of NFL awards
Team awards
Vince Lombardi Trophy | Awarded annually to the Super Bowl-winning team |
Lamar Hunt Trophy | Awarded annually to the AFC Champion |
George Halas Trophy | Awarded annually to the NFC Champion |
GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year | Awarded annually to the best moment or play of the year |
Individual awards
Super Bowl MVP | Awarded annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl |
AP NFL Most Valuable Player | Awarded annually by the Associated Press to the most valuable player of the regular season |
AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year | Awarded annually by Associated Press to the player considered as the top offensive player in the regular season |
AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year | Awarded annually by Associated Press to the player considered as the top defensive player in the regular season |
AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award | Awarded annually by the Associated Press to the player considered the top offensive first-year player in the regular season |
AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award | Awarded annually by the Associated Press to the player considered the top defensive first-year player in the regular season |
Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award | Awarded annually by Pepsi to the top rookie of the year in the regular season |
AP Coach of the Year Award | Awarded annually by the Associated Press to the coach that had the most outstanding season |
AP Assistant Coach of the Year Award | Awarded annually by the Associated Press to the top assistant coach in the NFL |
AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award | Awarded annually by Associated Press. Selection criteria are not precise, but generally given to a player who could not play in the previous season and showed great perseverance upon his return |
Deacon Jones Award | Awarded annually to the player with the most sacks in a regular season |
NFL.com Fantasy Player of the Year Award | Awarded annually to the player that had the biggest impact on fantasy games with his stats |
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award | Awarded annually to the player that showed dedication to philanthropy and had a strong impact on the community as well as excellence on the field |
NFLPA Alan Page Community Award | Awarded annually to the player that extends significant support for the community in his hometown or team city |
Art Rooney Award | Awarded annually to the player who shows outstanding sportsmanship qualities while on the field |
Bart Starr Award | Awarded annually to the player who best showcases character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community |
FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year | Awarded annually to one quarterback (Air player) and one running back (Ground player) who have had exemplary individual statistical performances week in and week out of the regular season |
Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award | Awarded to the best offensive line in the NFL |
Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year | Awarded annually to the High School football head coach who displays integrity, achievement, and leadership like the winningest coach in NFL history: Don Shula |
Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year Award | Awarded annually to an NFL executive who has done an excellent job in building a winning team |
FAQs on National Football League Awards
A. NFL players and coaches receive awards a week or more before the Super Bowl take place.
A. The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is given to the player who shows excellence on and off the field particularly in philanthropic and community work.
A. Most of the important awards in the NFL are decided by the Associated Press (AP).