Pro Football Writers Association

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The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is an organization that purports to be "[the] official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public."[1] Goals of the organization include improving access to practices and locker rooms, developing working relationships with all teams, and ensuring that football writers are treated in a professional manner. As of 2005 the group consisted of over 300 writers, editors, and columnists who cover pro football. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter, who covers the Atlanta Falcons, is the organization’s president for 2013-15 term.[2]

The PFWA issues the following awards: an All-NFL team published by Pro Football Weekly, one NFL Most Valuable Player Award (since 1975), the Dick McCann Memorial Award, the George S. Halas Courage Award, the Good Guy award, the Horrigan Award, and the Rozelle Award.

Awards

All-NFL Team

See: All-Pro#Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL Team

NFL Most Valuable Player Award

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Main article: National Football League Most Valuable Player Award § Pro Football Writers Association NFL MVP Award

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

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Main article: Pro Football Writers Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year § PFW/PFWA Defensive Player of the Year award

NFL Rookie of the Year Award

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Main article: National Football League Rookie of the Year Award § PFW/Pro Football Writers of America NFL ROTY Award

NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award

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Main article: National Football League Comeback Player of the Year Award § PFW/PFWA Comeback Player of the Year award (1972–present)

George S. Halas Courage Award

Note: The George S. Halas Courage Award should not be confused with the Newspaper Enterprise Association's George S. Halas Trophy that was awarded to the NFL defensive player of the year from 1966 to 1996, or the NFL's George Halas Trophy that is awarded to the National Football Conference champion.

The George S. Halas Courage Award is given to the player or coach who has performed with abandon despite injury or personal problems.

In May 1970, the Halas Award went to Gale Sayers for his comeback from knee surgery to lead the NFL in rushing in 1969.[3] In New York, at the Pro Football Writers Association banquet, Gale Sayers gave an emotional speech that was memorialized in the film Brian's Song. Said Sayers, "You flatter me by giving me this award, but I’ll tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. I accept it tonight, but I’ll present it to Brian tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo. And I’d like all of you to love him, too. And tonight, when you hit your knees, ask God to love him, too."[4][5]

Other notable winners of the PFWA Halas Award include Joe Namath,[6] Steeler running back Rocky Bleier, Hall of Fame cornerback Jimmy Johnson,[7] New York Giant cancer survivor Karl Nelson,[8] Hall of Famers Dan Hampton and Joe Montana,[9] Denver Broncos guard Mark Schlereth,[10] former N.Y. Giant Kerry Collins,[11] San Francisco 49ers Garrison Hearst [12] and Bryant Young,[13] Carolina coach and former linebacker Sam Mills,[14] Dolphins running back Robert Edwards,[15] Carolina linebacker Mark Fields,[16] Indianapolis Colt Head Coach Tony Dungy,[17] New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees,[18] New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft (first NFL owner and first Patriot to receive one),[19] and former Saints safety and ALS patients' advocate, Steve Gleason.[20]

Good Guy Award

The PFWA Good Guy Award has been given annually since 2005 to an NFL player "for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs."[21]

Year Winner Team
2005 Jerome Bettis Pittsburgh Steelers
2006 Tiki Barber New York Giants
2007 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers
2008 Brett Favre Green Bay Packers
2009 Kurt Warner Arizona Cardinals
2010 Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
2011 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers
2012 Tim Tebow Denver Broncos
2013 Tony Gonzalez Atlanta Falcons
2014 Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks
2015 Richard Sherman Seattle Seahawks

Horrigan Award

See: Jack Horrigan

Dick McCann Memorial Award

See: Dick McCann Memorial Award

Rozelle Award

The Rozelle Award is given to the club public relations department that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. It is named after Pete Rozelle, the fourth commissioner of the NFL.

Past presidents

See also

References

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  2. ↑ [1] Archived February 2, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
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  10. ↑ [2][dead link]
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  15. ↑ [3][dead link]
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  17. ↑ [4] Archived October 22, 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ [5] Archived May 9, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ "Steve Gleason selected as PFWA’s 2015 George Halas award winner", New Orleans Saints, June 15, 2015.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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