National Football League Most Valuable Player Award

The National Football League Most Valuable Player Award (NFL MVP) is given by various entities, most notably the Associated Press (AP), to the player who is considered most valuable in the league. When the award is referred to without mentioning the organization, it generally means the AP award. The AP NFL MVP has been shared twice, in 1997 and 2003.[1] Peyton Manning has won the award four times in his career, the most of any NFL player. Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, and Brett Favre all were named MVP three times, while Joe Montana, Steve Young, Kurt Warner and Tom Brady each won the award twice. The winners of the AP award have overwhelmingly been quarterbacks and running backs; the only defensive players to win the AP award were Alan Page and Lawrence Taylor, and the only special teams player was Mark Moseley.

On January 2, 2009, the AP stated that their version of MVP award began in 1961.[2] It is possible that this is a reaction to an article published at Pro Football Weekly[3] that suggests the AP awards as listed by the AP were incorrect. As recently as the morning (EST) of January 2, 2009,[4][5] the AP listed the 1957 MVP as Jim Brown, the 1958 MVP as Gino Marchetti, the 1959 MVP as Charlie Conerly, and the 1960 co-MVPs as Norm Van Brocklin and Joe Schmidt. The Pro Football Weekly.com article disputes the 1958, 1959, and 1960 winners. Since, as the PFW article points out, the AP began using the term "MVP" in 1961, it seems the pre-1960 winners are no longer considered "MVPs" but "Players of the Year".[3] Adding to the confusion put out by the AP, the 1962 winner, Jim Taylor-in the story that moved across the AP wire in 1962, was the "Player of the Year" not the "Most Valuable Player". In 1963 the term "MVP" was used once again. According to an article by Pro Football Weekly, the terms "Player of the Year" and "Most Valuable Player" were generally interchangeable at the time.[6]

Contents

Associated Press NFL POY/MVP Award

Season Player Team Position
1957 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns Running back
1958 Jim Brown (2)[7] Cleveland Browns Running back
1959 Johnny Unitas[8] Baltimore Colts Quarterback
1960 Norm Van Brocklin Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback
1961 Paul Hornung Green Bay Packers Running back
1962 Jim Taylor Green Bay Packers Running back
1963 Y. A. Tittle 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 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers Quarterback
1971 Alan Page Minnesota Vikings Defensive tackle
1972 Larry Brown Washington Redskins Running back
1973 O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Running back
1974 Ken Stabler Oakland Raiders Quarterback
1975 Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings Quarterback
1976 Bert Jones Baltimore Colts Quarterback
1977 Walter Payton Chicago Bears Running back
1978 Terry Bradshaw Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback
1979 Earl Campbell Houston Oilers Running back
1980 Brian Sipe Cleveland Browns Quarterback
1981 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback
1982 Mark Moseley Washington Redskins Placekicker
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 John Elway Denver Broncos Quarterback
1988 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback
1989 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers Quarterback
1990 Joe Montana (2) San Francisco 49ers 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
1995 Brett Favre Green Bay Packers Quarterback
1996 Brett Favre (2) Green Bay Packers Quarterback
1997 Brett Favre (3)
Barry Sanders		 Green Bay Packers
Detroit Lions		 Quarterback
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 Kurt Warner (2) St. Louis Rams Quarterback
2002 Rich Gannon Oakland Raiders Quarterback
2003 Peyton Manning
Steve McNair		 Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Titans		 Quarterback
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

Pro Football Writers Association NFL MVP Award

Season Player Team Position
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
1988 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback
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
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

Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL MVP Award

See also: United Media#NFL awards

This award ran from 1955 through 1996 and was by a poll of NFL players.[9] The award winner is presented with the Jim Thorpe Trophy (not to be confused with collegiate football's Jim Thorpe Award). Beginning in 1997 the Jim Thorpe Trophy was presented by the Jim Thorpe Association, with the winner determined by a "vote of NFLPA representatives".[10]

Season Player Team Position
1955 Harlon Hill Chicago Bears End
1956 Frank Gifford New York Giants Running back
1957 John Unitas Baltimore Colts Quarterback
1958 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns Fullback
1959 Charlie Conerly New York Giants Quarterback
1960 Norm Van Brocklin Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback
1961 Y. A. Tittle New York Giants Quarterback
1962 Jim Taylor Green Bay Packers Running back
1963 Y. A. Tittle (2)
Jim Brown (2)		 New York Giants
Cleveland Browns		 Quarterback
Running Back
1964 Lenny Moore Baltimore Colts Halfback
1965 Jim Brown (3) Cleveland Browns Running back
1966 Bart Starr Green Bay Packers Quarterback
1967 Johnny Unitas (2) Baltimore Colts Quarterback
1968 Earl Morrall Baltimore Colts Quarterback
1969 Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams Quarterback
1970 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers Quarterback
1971 Bob Griese Miami Dolphins Quarterback
1972 Larry Brown Washington Redskins Running back
1973 O. J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Running back
1974 Ken Stabler Oakland Raiders Quarterback
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 Earl Campbell (3) Houston Oilers Running back
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 Walter Payton (2) Chicago Bears Running back
1986 Phil Simms New York Giants Quarterback
1987 Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver
1988 Roger Craig San Francisco 49ers Running back
1989 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers Quarterback
1990 Warren Moon Houston Oilers Quarterback
1991 Thurman Thomas Buffalo Bills Running back
1992 Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys Running back
1993 Emmitt Smith (2) Dallas Cowboys Running back
1994 Steve Young 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 Randall Cunningham Minnesota Vikings Quarterback
1999 Kurt Warner St. Louis Rams Quarterback
2000 Marshall Faulk St. Louis Rams Running back
2001 Kurt Warner (2) St. Louis Rams Quarterback
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

The Sporting News NFL MVP Award

Beginning in 1954, The Sporting News NFL MVP is still in existence. From 1970-79 The Sporting News chose AFC and NFC players of the year, returning to an NFL-wide choice in 1980.[11]

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 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

Bert Bell Award

Awarded to NFL MVP by Philadelphia's Maxwell Club.

Year Player Team
1959 Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts
1960 Norman Van Brocklin Philadelphia Eagles
1961 Paul Hornung Green Bay Packers
1962 Andy Robustelli New York Giants
1963 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns
1964 Johnny Unitas (2) Baltimore Colts
1965 Pete Retzlaff Philadelphia Eagles
1966 Don Meredith Dallas Cowboys
1967 Johnny Unitas (3) Baltimore Colts
1968 Leroy Kelly Cleveland Browns
1969 Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams
1970 George Blanda Oakland Raiders
1971 Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys
1972 Larry Brown Washington Redskins
1973 O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills
1974 Merlin Olsen Los Angeles Rams
1975 Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings
1976 Ken Stabler Oakland Raiders
1977 Bob Griese Miami Dolphins
1978 Terry Bradshaw Pittsburgh Steelers
1979 Earl Campbell Houston Oilers
1980 Ron Jaworski Philadelphia Eagles
1981 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals
1982 Joe Theisman Washington Redskins
1983 John Riggins Washington Redskins
1984 Dan Marino Miami Dolphins
1985 Walter Payton Chicago Bears
1986 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants
1987 Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers
1988 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles
1989 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers
1990 Randall Cunningham (2) Philadelphia Eagles
1991 Barry Sanders Detroit Lions
1992 Steve Young San Francisco 49ers
1993 Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys
1994 Steve Young (2) San Francisco 49ers
1995 Brett Favre Green Bay Packers
1996 Brett Favre (2) Green Bay Packers
1997 Barry Sanders (2) Detroit Lions
1998 Randall Cunningham (3) Minnesota Vikings
1999 Kurt Warner St. Louis Rams
2000 Rich Gannon Oakland Raiders
2001 Marshall Faulk St. Louis Rams
2002 Rich Gannon (2) Oakland Raiders
2003 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts
2004 Peyton Manning (2) Indianapolis Colts
2005 Shaun Alexander Seattle Seahawks
2006 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers
2007 Tom Brady New England Patriots
2008 Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings
2009 Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
2010 Michael Vick Philadelphia Eagles

Washington D.C. Touchdown Club NFL Player of the Year Award

See: Washington D.C. Touchdown Club#NFL Player of the Year Awards (1945–present)

Joe F. Carr Trophy

The NFL awarded the Joe F. Carr Trophy (named after the league president, 1921–39) to the league's MVP from 1938 to 1946.

Season Player Team Position
1938 Mel Hein New York Giants Center
1939 Parker Hall Cleveland Rams Halfback
1940 Ace Parker Brooklyn Dodgers Halfback
1941 Don Hutson Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver
1942 Don Hutson (2) Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver
1943 Sid Luckman Chicago Bears Quarterback
1944 Frank Sinkwich Detroit Lions Halfback
1945 Bob Waterfield Cleveland Rams Quarterback
1946 Bill Dudley Pittsburgh Steelers Halfback

Football Digest NFL MVP Award

Football Digest named an NFL Most Valuable Player from 1973 to 1988.

Miller Lite NFL Player of the Year

Award discontinued after 2006.[12]

Season Player Team Position
1989 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers Quarterback
1990 Joe Montana (2) San Francisco 49ers 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
1995 Brett Favre Green Bay Packers Quarterback
1996 Brett Favre (2) Green Bay Packers Quarterback
1997 Barry Sanders Detroit Lions Running back
1998 Randall Cunningham Minnesota Vikings Quarterback
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 Drew Brees New Orleans Saints Quarterback

United Press International NFL POY Award

United Press International gave an NFL 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.

Season Player Team Position
1948 Pat Harder Chicago Cardinals Fullback [13]
1949 No Selection
1950 No Selection
1951 Otto Graham Cleveland Browns Quarterback
1952 No Selection
1953 Otto Graham (2) Cleveland Browns Quarterback
1954 Joe Perry San Francisco 49ers Fullback
1955 Otto Graham (3) Cleveland Browns Quarterback
1956 Frank Gifford New York Giants Halfback
1957 Y. A. Tittle San Francisco 49ers Quarterback
1958 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns Fullback
1959 Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts Quarterback
1960 Norm Van Brocklin Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback
1961 Paul Hornung Green Bay Packers Halfback
1962 Y. A. Tittle (2) New York Giants Quarterback
1963 Jim Brown (2) Cleveland Browns Fullback
1964 Johnny Unitas (2) Baltimore Colts Quarterback
1965 Jim Brown (3) Cleveland Browns Fullback
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

Notes

  1. ^ Wilner, Brody McCrary (January 3, 2004). "Colts' Manning, Titans' McNair share honor". Deseret News (Salt Lake City). Associated Press. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20040103/ai_n11433096?tag=content;col1. Retrieved 2009-01-02. 
  2. ^ "Third time's a charm: Colts QB Manning again wins NFL MVP award". NFL.com. Associated Press. January 2, 2009. http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80dd272c&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true. Retrieved January 4, 2009. 
  3. ^ a b Turney, John (December 22, 2008). "Correcting the Record of the 'NFL Record & Fact Book'". Pro Football Weekly. Primedia. http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Columns/2008/turney122208.htm. Retrieved January 4, 2009. 
  4. ^ "National Football League MVPs". ESPN.com. Associated Press (The Disney Company). January 2, 2009. http://sports.espn.go.com:80/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=3805671. Retrieved January 4, 2009. 
  5. ^ Wilner, Barry (January 2, 2009). "Three-time MVP in NFL now a party for two". Pjstar.com: Peoria Journal Star website. Associated Press (GateHouse Media). http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x497775193/Manning-named-NFL-MVP-for-record-third-time. Retrieved January 4, 2009. 
  6. ^ Turney, John (January 11, 2010). "AP gets it partially right". Pro Football Weekly. Primedia. http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/01/11/ap-gets-it-partially-right-2. Retrieved January 22, 2010. 
  7. ^ It is a common misconception that Gino Marchetti was the Associated Press Most Valuable Player in 1958. In fact, sources such as NFL.com and others list him as such.[1][2] The actual winner of the AP Player of the Year award was Jim Brown, with 22 votes. Marchetti was the AP NFL Lineman of the Year, an award that existed from 1956 through 1960. Most current newspapers reprint the annual Associated Press release, which at some point apparently confused the awards for the 1958 season.
  8. ^ It is a contended that Charlie Conerly was the Associated Press Most Valuable Player in 1959. Conerly was the winner of the Newspaper Ent. Assoc. MVP not the AP Player of the Year. Unitas won both the AP and the United Press Player of the Year Awards. The AP did not use the term "MVP" until 1961.[3]
  9. ^ Along with the AP, UPI, the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) MVP was considered official and was in the honors section of the NFL Record and Fact Book and its awards are listed in Total Football and Total Football II. The Awards appeared in the World Almanac from the early 1960s though 1996.
  10. ^ Jim Thorpe Association Yearbook, 2007.
  11. ^ Sporting News Vault.com Retrieved on March 25, 2009.
  12. ^ football-almanac.com
  13. ^ Modesto Bee, December 17, 1948, pg. 17

See also

Team
Individual
One-time only
75th Anniversary All-Time Team (1994) · All-Decade Teams
Defunct