NFL Honors facts for kids

The NFL Honors is a special event where the National Football League (NFL) celebrates its best players and coaches. It's like the "Oscars" for football! This exciting show happens every year just before the Super Bowl, which is the biggest game in American football. Since 2022, the event takes place on the Thursday before the Super Bowl in the same city where the big game will be played. Before that, from 2012 to 2021, it was held on the day before the Super Bowl.

Celebrating Football Heroes: Awards at NFL Honors

The NFL Honors show gives out many important awards to recognize amazing achievements in football. Most of these awards are chosen by the Associated Press (AP), which is a big news organization.

Top Player Awards

• Most Valuable Player (MVP): This award goes to the player who was the most important and best player in the entire league for that season. They really made a difference for their team!
• Offensive Player of the Year: This award celebrates the best player on the offense (the team trying to score points). Think amazing quarterbacks, running backs, or wide receivers.
• Defensive Player of the Year: This award is for the best player on the defense (the team trying to stop the other team from scoring). These are players who make big tackles, sacks, or interceptions.
• Offensive Rookie of the Year: This award is given to the best offensive player who is in their very first year playing in the NFL.
• Defensive Rookie of the Year: This award is for the best defensive player who is in their very first year playing in the NFL.
• Comeback Player of the Year: This award goes to a player who has overcome a challenge, like a serious injury, and played really well again. It celebrates their amazing return to the game.

Coaching and Special Awards

• Coach of the Year: This award honors the head coach who did the best job leading their team during the season.
• Assistant Coach of the Year: This award recognizes an assistant coach who made a big impact on their team's success.
• Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: This is a very special award that honors a player for their amazing work both on the field and in their community. It's about being a great person and helping others.
• Moment of the Year: This award celebrates the most exciting or memorable play or event from the NFL season.
• Salute to Service Award: This award recognizes a player, coach, or staff member who has shown great support for the United States military.
• Art Rooney Award: This award is given to a player who shows outstanding sportsmanship on the field. It's about playing fair and respecting others.
• Deacon Jones Award: This award goes to the player who gets the most "sacks" (tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage) in a season.
• Jim Brown Award: This award is given to the NFL's leading rusher, the player who gains the most yards by running with the ball.
• Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year: This award celebrates a high school football coach who shows great leadership and dedication to their team and community.

Past NFL Honors Ceremonies

The NFL Honors event has been held every year since 2012. It's a big night where football stars gather to celebrate their achievements. Here's a look at some of the past ceremonies: