National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
Currently several organizations give out NFL Defensive Player Awards that are listed in the "NFL Record and Fact Book" and "Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League". The Associated Press has been giving the award since 1972. Pro Football Writers of America/Pro Football Weekly since 1970. The Sporting News has only announced winners for the last two seasons. Previously, the Newspaper Enterprise Association was the originator of the award in 1966, however it became defunct after 1997. Also going defunct was the United Press International AFC-NFC Defensive Player of the Year Awards that began in 1975.
Associated Press
The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the league's most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971. Multiple-award winners include Lawrence Taylor and J. J. Watt, who each won it three times, and Joe Greene, Mike Singletary, Bruce Smith, Reggie White, and Ray Lewis, who each won it twice. Lawrence Taylor is the only player to win the award as a rookie (1981), and James Harrison is the only one to win it as an undrafted free agent (2008). Most recently, in 2012 and 2013, two second-year players won this award: J. J. Watt and Luke Kuechly of the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers.
AP NFL Defensive Players of the Year
| Year | Player Name | NFL Team | Position | Team Defense Rank | Team Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Page, AlanAlan Page | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive tackle | 2 | NFC Division champ |
| 1972 | Greene, JoeJoe Greene | Pittsburgh Steelers | Defensive tackle | 8 | AFC Championship |
| 1973 | Anderson, DickDick Anderson | Miami Dolphins | Safety | 3 | Won Super Bowl VIII |
| 1974 | Greene, JoeJoe Greene (2) | Pittsburgh Steelers (2) | Defensive tackle | 4 | Won Super Bowl IX |
| 1975 | Blount, MelMel Blount | Pittsburgh Steelers (3) | Cornerback | 4 | Won Super Bowl X |
| 1976 | Lambert, JackJack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers (4) | Linebacker | 1 | AFC Championship |
| 1977 | Martin, HarveyHarvey Martin | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive end | 1 | Won Super Bowl XII |
| 1978 | Gradishar, RandyRandy Gradishar | Denver Broncos | Linebacker | 6 | AFC Divisional |
| 1979 | Selmon, Lee RoyLee Roy Selmon | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive end | 1 | NFC Championship |
| 1980 | Hayes, LesterLester Hayes | Oakland Raiders | Cornerback | 11 | Won Super Bowl XV |
| 1981 | Taylor, LawrenceLawrence Taylor-R | New York Giants | Linebacker | 3 | NFC Divisional |
| 1982 | Taylor, LawrenceLawrence Taylor (2) | New York Giants (2) | Linebacker | 7 | 4–5 no playoffs (strike season) |
| 1983 | Betters, DougDoug Betters | Miami Dolphins (2) | Defensive end | 7 | AFC Divisional |
| 1984 | Easley, KennyKenny Easley | Seattle Seahawks | Safety | 6 | AFC Divisional |
| 1985 | Singletary, MikeMike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker | 1 | Won Super Bowl XX |
| 1986 | Taylor, LawrenceLawrence Taylor (3) | New York Giants (3) | Linebacker | 2 | Won Super Bowl XXI |
| 1987 | White, ReggieReggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive end | 23 | 7–8 no playoffs (strike season) |
| 1988 | Singletary, MikeMike Singletary (2) | Chicago Bears (2) | Linebacker | 2 | NFC Championship |
| 1989 | Millard, KeithKeith Millard | Minnesota Vikings (2) | Defensive tackle | 1 | NFC Divisional |
| 1990 | Smith, BruceBruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end | 8 | Lost Super Bowl XXV |
| 1991 | Swilling, PatPat Swilling | New Orleans Saints | Linebacker | 2 | NFC Wildcard |
| 1992 | Kennedy, CortezCortez Kennedy | Seattle Seahawks (2) | Defensive tackle | 10 | 2–14 no playoffs |
| 1993 | Woodson, RodRod Woodson | Pittsburgh Steelers (5) | Cornerback | 3 | AFC Wildcard |
| 1994 | Sanders, DeionDeion Sanders | San Francisco 49ers | Cornerback | 8 | Won Super Bowl XXIX |
| 1995 | Paup, BryceBryce Paup | Buffalo Bills (2) | Linebacker | 13 | AFC Divisional |
| 1996 | Smith, BruceBruce Smith (2) | Buffalo Bills (3) | Defensive end | 9 | AFC Wildcard |
| 1997 | Stubblefield, DanaDana Stubblefield | San Francisco 49ers (2) | Defensive tackle | 1 | NFC Championship |
| 1998 | White, ReggieReggie White (2) | Green Bay Packers | Defensive end | 4 | NFC Wildcard |
| 1999 | Sapp, WarrenWarren Sapp | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2) | Defensive tackle | 3 | NFC Championship |
| 2000 | Lewis, RayRay Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker | 2 | Won Super Bowl XXXV |
| 2001 | Strahan, MichaelMichael Strahan | New York Giants (4) | Defensive end | 14 | 7–9 no playoffs |
| 2002 | Brooks, DerrickDerrick Brooks | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3) | Linebacker | 1 | Won Super Bowl XXXVII |
| 2003 | Lewis, RayRay Lewis[1] (2) | Baltimore Ravens (2) | Linebacker | 3 | AFC Wildcard |
| 2004 | Reed, EdEd Reed[2] | Baltimore Ravens (3) | Safety | 6 | 9–7 no playoffs |
| 2005 | Urlacher, BrianBrian Urlacher[3] | Chicago Bears (3) | Linebacker | 2 | NFC Divisional |
| 2006 | Taylor, JasonJason Taylor[4] | Miami Dolphins (3) | Defensive end | 4 | 6–10, no playoffs |
| 2007 | Sanders, BobBob Sanders[5] | Indianapolis Colts | Safety | 3 | AFC Divisional |
| 2008 | Harrison, JamesJames Harrison[6] | Pittsburgh Steelers (6) | Linebacker | 1 | Won Super Bowl XLIII |
| 2009 | Woodson, CharlesCharles Woodson[7] | Green Bay Packers (2) | Cornerback | 2 | NFC Wildcard |
| 2010 | Polamalu, TroyTroy Polamalu | Pittsburgh Steelers (7) | Safety | 2 | Lost Super Bowl XLV |
| 2011 | Suggs, TerrellTerrell Suggs | Baltimore Ravens (4) | Linebacker | 3 | AFC Championship |
| 2012 | Watt, J. J.J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive end | 10 | AFC Divisional |
| 2013 | Kuechly, LukeLuke Kuechly | Carolina Panthers | Linebacker | 2 | NFC Divisional |
| 2014 | Watt, J. J.J. J. Watt (2) | Houston Texans (2) | Defensive end | 7 | 9-7 no playoffs |
| 2015 | Watt, J. J.J. J. Watt (3) | Houston Texans (3) | Defensive end | 6 | AFC Wild Card |
Pro Football Writers of America
The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is the official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public. The PFWA is made up of accredited writers who cover the NFL and the 32 teams on a daily basis.
From 1969 to 1991, the Pro Football Writers Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year 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.
Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Player of the Year winners
| Season | Player | Team | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Bobby Bell | Kansas City Chiefs | Outside linebacker | Minnesota |
| 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 Linebacker | 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 | Northern Iowa |
| 1996 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End | Virginia Tech |
| 1997 | Dana Stubblefield | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive tackle | Kansas |
| 1998 | Reggie White | Green Bay Packers | 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 | Texas Southern |
| 2002 | Derrick Brooks | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Outside linebacker | Florida St |
| 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 | Iowa |
| 2008 | James Harrison | Pittsburgh Steelers | Outside Linebacker | Kent State |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson | Green Bay Packers | Cornerback | Michigan |
| 2010 | Troy Polamalu | Pittsburgh Steelers | Safety | USC |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | Baltimore Ravens | Outside linebacker | Arizona State |
| 2012 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive End | Wisconsin |
| 2013 | Robert Quinn | St. Louis Rams | Defensive End | North Carolina |
| 2014 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive End | Wisconsin |
| 2015 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive End | Wisconsin |
Newspaper Enterprise Association
Beginning in 1966 the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) annually awarded the George S. Halas Trophy to the NFL's outstanding defensive player (Newspaper Enterprise Association Defensive Player of the Year Award). (The George S. Halas Trophy should not be confused with the Pro Football Writers Association's George S. Halas Courage Award or the National Football League's George Halas Trophy that is awarded to the NFC champion.) The winner was released via the NEA news service and also appeared in the World Almanac, which was an NEA publication. The award ran though 1996. It was considered one of the major awards and as included in the NFL Record and Fact Book and its winners still appear in the NFL's Official Encyclopedia, Total Football II. In his book, A Thinking Man's Guide to Pro Football, sportwriter Paul Zimmerman touted the NEA for its All-Pro team and its awards, since they involved polling the players, rather than being a sportswriter's poll like the AP, UPI, and the PFWA.
Newspaper Enterprise Association DPOY winners
Winners are awarded George S. Halas Trophy
1966— Larry Wilson, S, St. Louis Cardinals
1967— Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams
1968— Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams
1969— Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears
1970— Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears
1971— Carl Eller, DE, Minnesota Vikings
1972— Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
1973— Alan Page, DT, Minnesota Vikings
1974— Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
1975— Curley Culp, DT, Houston Oilers
1976— Jerry Sherk, DT, Cleveland Browns
1977— Harvey Martin, DE, Dallas Cowboys
1978— Randy Gradishar, ILB, Denver Broncos
1979— Lee Roy Selmon, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1980— Lester Hayes, CB, Oakland Raiders
1981— Joe Klecko, DE, New York Jets
1982— Mark Gastineau, DE, New York Jets
1983— Jack Lambert, MLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
1984— Mike Haynes, CB, Los Angeles Raiders
1985— Howie Long, DE, Los Angeles Raiders/
Andre Tippett, OLB, New England Patriots (tie)
1986— Lawrence Taylor, OLB, New York Giants
1987— Reggie White, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
1988— Mike Singletary, MLB, Chicago Bears
1989— Tim Harris, OLB, Green Bay Packers
1990— Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills
1991— Pat Swilling, OLB, New Orleans Saints
1992— Junior Seau, LB, San Diego Chargers
1993— Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills
1994— Deion Sanders, CB, San Francisco 49ers
1995— Bryce Paup, OLB, Buffalo Bills
1996— Kevin Greene, OLB, Carolina Panthers
1997— Dana Stubblefield, DT, San Francisco 49ers
Notes
The Newspaper Enterprise Association also awarded the Bert Bell Memorial Trophy to the Rookie of the Year and the Jim Thorpe Award to the NFL MVP. The driving force behind these awards was Murray Olderman who began the NEA All-pro team in 1954 and added more awards, including the Third Down Trophy that symbolized each team's MVP.
From 1970 to 1996, the United Press International awarded the NFC Player of the Year to players from the NFL's National Football Conference (NFC).
United Press International
NFC Defensive Player of the Year Winners
| Season Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 Jack Youngblood | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive End |
| 1976 Wally Chambers | Chicago Bears | Defensive Tackle |
| 1977 Harvey Martin | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive Tackle |
| 1978 Randy White | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive Tackle |
| 1979 Lee Roy Selmon | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive End |
| 1980 Nolan Cromwell | Los Angeles Rams | Safety |
| 1981 Fred Dean | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive End |
| 1982 No Award | ||
| 1983 Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1984 Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1985 Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1986 Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1987 Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive End |
| 1988 Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1989 Keith Millard | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive Tackle |
| 1990 Charles Haley | San Francisco 49ers | Linebacker |
| 1991 Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive End |
| 1992 Chris Doleman | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive End |
| 1993 Eric Allen | Philadelphia Eagles | Cornerback |
| 1994 Charles Haley | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive End |
| 1995 Reggie White | Green Bay Packers | Defensive End |
| 1996 Kevin Greene | Carolina Panthers | Linebacker |
AFC Player of the Year winners
| Season | Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 Mel Blount | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cornerback | |
| 1976 Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker | |
| 1977 Lyle Alzado | Denver Broncos | Defensive End | |
| 1978 Randy Gradishar | Denver Broncos | Linebacker | |
| 1979 Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linbebacker | |
| 1980 Lester Hayes | Oakland Raiders | Cornerback | |
| 1981 Joe Klecko | New York Jets | Defensive End | |
| 1982 No Award | |||
| 1983 Rod Martin | Los Angeles Raiders | Linebacker | |
| 1984 Mark Gastineau | New York Jets | Defensive End | |
| 1985 Andre Tippett | New England Patriots | Linebacker | |
| 1986 Rulon Jones | Denver Broncos | Defensive End | |
| 1987 Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End | |
| 1988 (tie) Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End | |
| Cornelius Bennett | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker | |
| 1989 Michael Dean Perry | Cleveland Browns | Nose Tackle | |
| 1990 Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End | |
| 1991 Cornelius Bennett | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker | |
| 1992 Junior Seau | San Diego Chargers | Linebacker | |
| 1993 Rod Woodson | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cornerback | |
| 1994Greg Lloyd | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker | |
| 1995 Bryce Paup | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker | |
| 1996 Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End |
Football Digest
1992 - Junior Seau, ILB, San Diego Chargers
1993 - Deion Sanders, CB, Atlanta Falcons
1994 - Charles Haley, DE, Dallas Cowboys
1995 - Merton Hanks, S, San Francisco 49ers
1996 - Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills
1997 - Dana Stubblefield, DT, San Francisco 49ers
1998 - Junior Seau, ILB, San Diego Chargers
1999 - Warren Sapp, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2000 - Ray Lewis, MLB, Baltimore Ravens
2001 - Brian Urlacher, MLB, Chicago Bears
2002 - Derrick Brooks, OLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2003 - Ray Lewis, ILB, Baltimore Ravens
2004 - Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens
Sporting News
2008 - Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans
2009 - Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers
2010 - Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Pacers
2011 - Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings
2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2013 - Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers
2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2015 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
Sports Illustrated
2008 - DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys
2009 - Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets
2010 - Julius Peppers, DE, Chicago Bear
2011 - Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers
2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2013 - Robert Quinn, DE, St. Louis Rams
2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
Pro Football Focus
2011 - Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers
2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2013 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2015 - Vontaze Burfict, OLB, Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Committee of 101
Began in 1969, the "101" is 101 of the top NFL sportwriters who have been voting on awards, such as the Defensive Player of each Conference since 1969.
KC Committee of 101 Defensive Player of the Year Award winners
|
NFC Defensive Player of the Year |
AFC Defensive Player of the Year |
See also
- All-Pro
- Defensive Player of the Year Award (NFC and AFC) (Kansas City Committee of 101 Awards) (since 1969)
- NEA NFL Defensive Players of the Year (defunct)
- UPI AFC and NFC Defensive Player of the Year Award (since 1975) (defunct ?)
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award
- NFL Most Valuable Player awards
- Bert Bell Award
- UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year (defunct)
- UPI NFC Player of the Year (defunct)
References
- ↑ "Ray Lewis goes from murder suspect to NFL's Defensive Player of Year". Batesville Daily Guard website. Associated Press. January 3, 2001. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "First safety in 20 years to win defensive award". Associated Press. January 7, 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "Urlacher named AP Defensive Player of the Year". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 6, 2006. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2007). "Taylor takes home AP Defensive Player of the Year honor". USAToday.com. Associated Press. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "AP picks Colts' Sanders as top defensive player". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2009). "Steelers' Harrison is AP Defensive Player of Year". google.com. Associated Press. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "CB Woodson voted AP's top defensive player". nfl.com. Associated Press. January 12, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ↑ http://www.profootballwriters.org/
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External links
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year at CBSSportsline.com
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year at The Times Leader website
- at NFL.com News