(Above Image Source: Dawgs By Nature)
The best players of the NFL gathered in Phoenix this past Thursday night for the annual NFL Honors. Rookies and the biggest stars in the league were awarded, and we met the next class of Hall of Famers. So, who went home with the top awards? Who joined the Hall of Fame Class of 2023? Let’s take a look at the biggest highlights and winners of the show.
Patrick Mahomes is a Two-Time MVP
There was no doubt that the Chiefs QB was going to win this award. He threw for a career-high 5,250 yards and led the league in touchdown passes (41).
He practically carried the team to this point after the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. He would go on to set an NFL single-season record for combined passing, rushing, and receiving yards since that day. This season, he led the league in quick passes with +94.6 EPA when throwing the ball in 2.5 seconds or less. It’s something no other quarterback has ever done.
Mahomes beat out other MVP-level candidates including Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and Bengals QB Joe Burrow.
Giants’ Brian Daboll Wins Coach of the Year Award
The future now looks bright for the New York Giants. This was a team that lost at least 10 games in the last five seasons. Brian Daboll took them down a better path, leading them to a 9-7-1 record that earned them a playoff berth and a playoff win in his first season as head coach.
The path taken was not easy. Four of the Giants’ top receivers from the preseason were either on injured reserve, benched, or cut from the team. It seemed like there was no hope once again, but Daboll wanted to prove that theory wrong. He earned the team’s trust in week 1 when he went for the 2-point conversion plan in the final minutes of their game against the Tennessee Titans and succeeded.
It was a roller coaster ride from there, but he took an average, flawed roster and turned them into playoff contenders.
Damar Hamlin Appeared Alongside First Responders Who Saved His Life
In the most emotional moment in NFL Honors history, Damar Hamlin made his appearance and was joined by the first responders who granted him a second chance at life.
Members of the Bills and Bengals training and medical staff along with staff members from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center were recognized in a tribute video before being invited to the stage.
“Sudden cardiac arrest is something I never would have chosen to be a part of my story, but that’s because our own visions are too small even when we think we see the whole picture. My vision was about playing in the NFL and being the best player I could be, but God’s plan was to have a purpose greater than any game in this world.”
He received the Alan Page Community Award from the NFLPA last Wednesday and a standing ovation at the NFL Honors.
The 2023 NFL Hall of Fame Inductees Were Announced
The nine men who will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2023 are:
- Ronde Barber, cornerback
- Don Coryell, head coach
- Chuck Howley, linebacker
- Joe Klecko, defensive end/tackle
- Darrelle Revis, cornerback
- Ken Riley, cornerback
- Joe Thomas, tackle
- Zach Thomas, linebacker
- DeMarcus Ware, outside linebacker
Other Winners at the NFL Honors
- Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
- Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers
- Offensive Rookie of the Year: Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
- Defensive Rookie of the Year: Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
- Comeback Player of the Year: Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
- 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
- Assistant Coach of the Year: DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers
- FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year: Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals; Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
- Celebration of the Year: Cincinnati Bengals, roller coaster
- Moment of the Year: Justin Jefferson’s fourth-down catch vs. Bills
