The NFL had a special night to honor their best players and teams at the 12th annual NFL Honors. Kelly Clarkson hosted the show and it was the first time a woman led the event. They announced the winners of awards from The Associated Press and showed who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. The night also featured a video from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who praised the Ukrainian League of American Football for their work during their country’s war against Russia. Here’s a list of all the NFL Honors 2023 award winners announced at the event in Phoenix.
List of NFL Honors 2023 Award Winners
1. AP Most Valuable Player presented by Invisalign: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs quarterback
Patrick Mahomes was declared the best player in the NFL for 2022 by the Associated Press. He received 48 of 50 first-place votes and got 490 points in total. He had an amazing season and broke a record for total yards and was the best in touchdown passes.
2. AP Coach of the Year: Brian Daboll, Giants
Brian Daboll was named the best NFL coach of 2022 by the Associated Press. He helped the Giants have a winning record for the first time in 6 years and also helped them win their first playoff game in over 10 years. He won the award over other coaches like Kyle Shanahan and Doug Pederson. Daboll improved the Giants who had a bad record for the past three years. He made the team balanced and helped the running back Saquon Barkley play well.
3. AP Comeback Player of the Year: Geno Smith, Seahawks quarterback
Geno Smith won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after seven years without being a main quarterback. He played for different teams and had limited opportunities, but ended up as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks and had a great season. He threw for a lot of yards and touchdowns and his coaches want him back. Smith will be a free agent in March and is thinking about his successful 2022 season.
4. AP Offensive Player of the Year presented by Microsoft Surface: Justin Jefferson, Vikings wide receiver
Justin Jefferson was named the top offensive player in the NFL for 2022. He had a fantastic season with a lot of catches, yards, and touchdowns. He broke records set by famous players and is only getting started. The Vikings will have to pay him a lot of money soon because he’s doing so well, but they’re excited about it. Jefferson is happy to be on the team and wants to do even better next year.
5. AP Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa, 49ers defensive end
Nick Bosa won the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the San Francisco 49ers. He got 46 top votes and had the most sacks with 18.5. He helped the 49ers become the best defense team in the league. Bosa has been doing well after recovering from an injury, with 34 sacks in the last two seasons. He is 25 and expected to be a top defender for years to come. The 49ers plan to keep him as a key player for the future by picking up his fifth-year option.
6. AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Garrett Wilson, Jets wide receiver
Garrett Wilson, a player for the New York Jets, got the award for being the best new player on the offensive side in 2022. He caught more balls and ran more yards than any other new player. Despite problems with the Jets’ quarterback, he did well. Another player from the Jets, Sauce Gardner, got the award for being the best new player on defense. Wilson could make the Jets a better team in 2023.
7. AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Sauce Gardner, Jets cornerback
The New York Jets had a great season with their new players, adding both offensive and defensive players. Two of their players, Wilson and Gardner, won awards for being the best rookies on offense and defense. Gardner was especially impressive and played well in defense, leading the league in passes defended and interceptions. He only allowed two touchdowns and was named first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler. Gardner is now considered one of the best young corners in the NFL.
8. Next Gen Stats Moment of the Year: Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s catch versus Bills
Justin Jefferson had a great catch in a football game and was awarded two big honors – Next Gen Stats Moment of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. He thanked everyone who helped make it possible. The catch was famous and was shown many times. It was a team effort with good protection and a good throw from the quarterback. The catch helped the Vikings win even though they were losing before. The quarterback also sang at the Super Bowl.
9. Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide: Dak Prescott, Cowboys quarterback
Dak Prescott, a football player for the Dallas Cowboys, was given the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. This award is the most important in the NFL and it is given to players who do great work both on and off the field. Dak has his own charity called Faith Fight Finish Foundation that helps with cancer research, mental health, and suicide prevention. He has also given money to help police training and fight racism. Dak is the fourth Cowboys player to get this award and he is happy to be with previous winners like Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. When he received the award, he also got $250,000 for his charity.
10. Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Ronde Barber; Darrelle Revis; Joe Thomas; Zach Thomas; DeMarcus Ware; Don Coryell (coach/contributor); Chuck Howley (senior); Joe Klecko (senior); Ken Riley (senior)
The 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was revealed three days before the Super Bowl at the NFL Honors event. The members are: Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware (players), Don Coryell (coach/contributor), Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, and Ken Riley (seniors).
11. FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year: Joe Burrow, Bengals quarterback; Josh Jacobs, Raiders running back
Joe Burrow, who plays quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, won the FedEx Air Player of the Year award at the NFL Honors event. He played well, helping the team win two division titles, and had a good passing record with over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had a high completion rate and few interceptions. During the last seven games of the season, he threw for almost 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was one of the best quarterbacks in the league for passing yards, touchdowns, attempts, and completions. Josh Jacobs, a running back for the Las Vegas Raiders, won the FedEx Ground Player of the Year award.
12. Salute to Service Award presented by USAA: Ron Rivera, Commanders head coach
Washington Commanders’ coach Ron Rivera won an award for supporting and respecting the military community. He will receive the award on February 9th and a charity for the military will get $25,000. The NFL Foundation will match the donation.
13. Bud Light Celly of the Year: Bengals roller-coaster celebration in Week 18
The Cincinnati Bengals won an award at an NFL show on Thursday for their best celebration of the season. They won for their “rollercoaster celebration” during a game against the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Joe Burrow is a nominee for MVP and Sam Hubbard is a nominee for Man of the Year.
14. NFL Fan of the Year presented by Captain Morgan: Larry Bevans, Seahawks
Larry Bevans, a big fan of the Seattle Seahawks and a kind person, won two awards in 2022. He was named the 2022 Fan of the Year for the Seattle Seahawks and the 2022 NFL Fan of the Year at the NFL Honors show. This show honors players who played well during the season and is chosen by 50 sports journalists. Three players from the Seattle Seahawks were also nominated for awards, including Tyler Lockett who won a special award for being a good person. The NFL Fan of the Year award is given to fans who show love for their team and help their community. Larry is the first fan from the Seattle Seahawks to win this award and only the third fan ever.
15. Deacon Jones Sack Leader Award: Nick Bosa, 49ers defensive end
Nicholas Bosa is a football player for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. He went to college at Ohio State and was drafted 2nd in the NFL Draft in 2019. He won a prize for best new player in his first year and helped his team reach the Super Bowl. His family also has a history of playing football in the NFL.
16. AP Assistant Coach of the Year: DeMeco Ryans, 49ers defensive coordinator
The San Francisco 49ers defense was the best in the NFL in 2022. They were first in both points and yards allowed for the first time ever. The defense’s success led to their coordinator, DeMeco Ryans, winning the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award. He was named on 48 out of 50 ballots and this was his second year as a coordinator. He was recently hired as the head coach of the Houston Texans. The defense was led by players like Nick Bosa, Tashaun Gipson, and Talanoa Hufanga. Ryans used his expertise to stop the run game and the defense was dominant even when the quarterback changed due to injury. The 49ers had a winning streak of 12 games, but the season ended in the NFC Championship Game. Ryans will now be the head coach of the team that drafted him as a player in 2006.
17. Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: Calais Campbell, Ravens defensive lineman
The 2022-2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award was given to Calais Campbell from the Baltimore Ravens for showing good sportsmanship and fairness during games. The award is named after the famous football owner, Art Rooney Sr.
18. Angry Run of the Year: Dameon Pierce, Texans running back versus Jaguars
Dameon Pierce was a great running back for the Texans in his first season. He did a great job running against the Jaguars and was almost named Rookie of the Year. Sadly, an injury ended his season. The new coach, DeMeco Ryans, likes how tough Pierce is and thinks he will be a big help for the team this year. Ryans wants the team to have a strong running game and he thinks Pierce can help make that happen.
19. Jim Brown Award (Rushing Leader): Josh Jacobs, Raiders running back
Josh Jacobs, a player for the Las Vegas Raiders, won the first ever Jim Brown Award, which is given to the best rushing player every year. Jacobs was the best rusher in 2022 with 1,653 yards.
20. Head and Shoulders Never Not Working Protection Play of the Year: 49ers tight end George Kittle versus Cowboys
George Kittle, a player for the San Francisco 49ers, won the Head & Shoulders Never Not Working Protection Play of the Year award. He received the award because of his pass protection play and a great catch in a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. Kittle’s plays helped the 49ers win the game and move on to the NFC Championship Game.
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