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The NFL recognized the best players and performances of the 2020 season over Super Bowl 55 weekend at the 10th Annual NFL Honors Ceremony.
This year’s event was a virtual celebration rather than a gala instead of the Super Bowl due to COVID-19 restrictions.
SN NFL AWARD: Complete list of 2020 winners
Several of the winners also received honors from Sporting News, voted on by their fellow players. Aaron Donald was SN’s defensive player of the year and Washington quarterback Alex Smith was returning player of the year; both received the same honors from Associated Press voters.
One major difference was the offensive player of the year: SN voters (i.e. players) picked Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes while PA voters went with the Titans running back. Derrick Henry. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, edged out Mahomes for the PA’s MVP.
The NFL Honors program also included the announcement of the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Here’s everything you need to know as Sporting News lists all of the NFL Honors award winners.
MORE NFL AWARDS: Sports News 2020 NFL All-Pro Team
2021 NFL Honors Award Winners
Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Rodgers is now a three-time AP MVP after overtaking first seed Patrick Mahomes in an otherworldly second half. As of Week 9, Rodgers completed 75.1% of his passes, averaging 261.2 passing yards, threw 28 touchdowns with three interceptions (he threw five picks all year), made in averaged 8.5 yards per attempt and racked up a 129.2 passer rating. Green Bay went 8-1 in those road games to win the NFC North and land the No.1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
Henry was at the heart of Tennessee’s offense in 2020, scoring 397 total touches, 2,141 total scrum yards and 17 total touchdowns. He also became the eighth member of the NFL’s 2,000 club, totaling 2,027 yards on a record 378 carries.
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Rams
Donald turned in a typical season by his standards, meaning he was elite again: 13.5 sacks leading the team, 14 tackles for loss, 28 quarterback hits, four fumbles forced and a fumble recovered. All from a lineman who usually lines up indoors. This is the # 3 DPOY for Donald.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
Former Los Angeles coach Anthony Lynn had to play Herbert in week two after Tyrod Taylor suffered a punctured lung during an injection. Lynn reluctantly stayed with Herbert as the 2020 first round (sixth overall) quickly became the starter role. In 15 games, Herbert posted a rookie record of 31 touchdowns (to 10 interceptions), 7.3 yards per attempt and a 98.3 passer rating. He also ran for 234 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young, DE, Washington
Young brought boundless energy to the Washington defense after the team selected him second in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Ohio State product collected 7.5 sacks, recovered three fumbles and made 10 tackles for a loss in 15 games.
Returning Player of the Year: Alex Smith, QB, Washington
Could it really be someone else? Smith nearly died from an infection that developed after surgeries to repair a horrific leg injury in 2018. He returned to the field in Week 5 of the 2020 season and took over from Washington at the week 10. He made six starts in all, with Washington. win the final five en route to winning the NFC East. Smith ended the season completing 66.7% of his passes with a TD / interception ratio of 6: 8, but the numbers are secondary so Smith can resume his career.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stefanski, Browns
Stefanski came from the Vikings’ last offseason and quickly guided Cleveland to the franchise’s first playoff spot in 18 years. The Browns finished 11-5 in the regular season, capped off with a two-point victory over rival Steelers in Week 17. As the Pittsburgh Browns rashed the playoffs the following week in the wild round. -card was not a factor in the voting (this is a regular season award), it still showed the team’s progress under Stefanski.
Walter Payton Man of the Year: Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
Wilson’s tireless commitment to the Seattle Children’s Hospital, which began when he joined the Seahawks as a rookie, and his social justice work through his Why not you Foundation (WNYF) earned him the annual NFL Humanitarian Honor. “It’s one of the greatest gifts God has given me, it’s just so I can have influence and a little bit of a change as well,” Wilson said of his connection to the hospital. for a story from The (Tacoma, Washington) News Tribune.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Brian Daboll, OC, Bills
Daboll worked out Buffalo’s offense in 2020 and pushed Josh Allen to perform it at a high level. Allen and Stefon Diggs have become one of the most dangerous QB receiver combinations in the league. The Bills finished second in the NFL with 501 total points in 2020.
Clutch Performance Play of the Year: Hail Murray, Kyler Murray to DeAndre Hopkins
Murray’s desperation in the end zone for Hopkins turned a loss into a last-second win for the Cardinals over the Bills in Week 10.
Fantastic Player of the Year: Josh Allen, QB, Bills
Allen helped rack up points for his team and fantastic owners throughout 2020. He finished with 436.1 points in DraftKings fantastic score.
FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers; Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
These were the obvious choices. Rodgers, who was also named the AP NFL MVP on Saturday, led the NFL with 48 touchdown passes; Henry led the league with 2,027 rushing yards.
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Panthers
Bridgewater was recognized for his exceptional sportsmanship on the field in 2020. The award is named after Rooney, the founder of the Steelers.
Celebration of the Year: Steelers celebrate Chase Claypool touchdown
This end-of-week 10 zone performance at Jacksonville after Claypool’s 31-yard TD reception by Ben Roethlisberger took home the award.
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