The Vince Lombardi Trophy will be given away on Sunday, but the NFL's highest individual honors were revealed during Saturday night's NFL Honors. Among the awards: MVP, Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. The night also included the unveiling of the Pro Football's Hall of Fame's eight-member Class of 2021.
Longtime comedian and TV host Steve Harvey hosted this year's virtual NFL Honors. A Browns fan, Harvey kicked off the festivities by congratulating Jarvis Landry (who was among the players who watched the festivities virtually) on helping Cleveland snap its 18-year playoff drought. Harvey also took delight in the Patriots missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. While Patriots fans probably did not like that portion of the evening, T.J. Watt clearly took offense to not being named this year's Defensive Player of the Year. On a lighter note, Kyler Murray's wardrobe immediately went viral, as the Cardinals' quarterback clearly chose comfort over style.
Here's a look at each of Saturday night's award winners, as well as the Hall of Fame's newest class.
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MVP: QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers: Rodgers is now a three-time MVP after winning the honor in 2011 and in 2014. In his 13th season as Green Bay's starting quarterback, Rodgers led the NFL in touchdown passes (48) and completion percentage (70.7%).
Walter Payton Man of the Year: QB Russell Wilson, Seahawks: Wilson is involved in various charities that includes his own foundation. In 2020, Wilson and his wife Ciara partnered with Food Lifeline to donate over a million meals to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comeback Player of the Year: QB Alex Smith, Washington: After a major leg injury kept him out for an entire season, Smith not only played in 2020, but he helped lead Washington to its first division title since 2015. Smith won five of his six starts while completing nearly 67% of his passes.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: QB Justin Herbert, Chargers: The No. 6 overall pick re-wrote the NFL's rookie passing record book. In 2020, the former Oregon Duck completed nearly 67% of his throws for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns. He threw at least two touchdowns 10 times and for over 300 yards eight times.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: DE Chase Young, Washington: The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft racked up 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Young returned one of those fumbles for a score while helping Washington win the NFC East.
Defensive Player of the Year: DT Aaron Donald, Rams: This is Donald's third DPOY award over the past four years. An All-Pro for a sixth straight year in 2020, Donald tallied 13.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 14 tackles for loss.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Derrick Henry, Titans: Henry won his second consecutive rushing title in 2002. He also became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. His 2,027 yards is the fifth-highest in league history.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stefanski, Browns: In his first season in Cleveland, Stefanski led the Browns to an 11-5 record and the franchise's first postseason berth since 2020. The Browns also won their first playoff game since 1994.
Assistant Coach of the Year: OC Brian Daboll, Bills: Under Daboll, the 2020 Bills finished second in the NFL in scoring, third in rushing, and third in third-down efficiency. Quarterback Josh Allen enjoyed a breakout year that saw him score 45 total touchdowns.
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: QB Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers: Bridgewater, who enjoyed a successful first season in Carolina, joins former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly as Carolina players that have won this award.
Deacon Jones Award: OLB T.J. Watt, Steelers: Watt won the award after leading the NFL with 15 sacks. He also paced the league with 23 tackles for loss.
FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year: QB Aaron Rodgers/RB Derrick Henry: Rodgers led the NFL in several statistical categories in 2020. He also threw just five interceptions while completing nearly 71% of his passes. Henry averaged nearly 5.4 yards per carry in 2020. He also had ten 100-yard games and three 200-yard outings.
Bridgestone Clutch Performance Play of the Year: QB Kyler Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals: Kyler's "Hail Murray" game-winning touchdown pass to Hopkins against the Bills won the best play of the year for 2020.
OL Alan Faneca (1998-2007): A nine-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro, Faneca was a key member of the Steelers' 2005 championship team. A member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Faneca also played an integral role in the Jets' 2009 AFC title game run.
WR Calvin Johnson (2007-2015): "Megatron" was a six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team. A two-time receiving champion, Johnson's 1,964 yards is the highest single-season total in league history.
DB John Lynch (1993-2007): Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler and strong safety and was also a Pro Bowler during each of his four seasons at free safety. Lynch played a key role in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl XXXVII victory.
QB Peyton Manning (1998-2015): The only five-time league MVP, Manning retired as the NFL's all-time career leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. The first starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises, Manning's 55 touchdown passes in 2013 is still a single-season record.
DB Charles Woodson (1998-2015): A former Heisman Trophy winner, Woodson's NFL accomplishments include Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, nine Pro Bowls, four All-Pro selections and a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team. Woodson was also a key contributor on two Super Bowl teams that included Green Bay's 2010 Super Bowl-winning team.
Senior inductee: WR Drew Pearson (1973-1983): A three-time All-Pro, Pearson is the only member of the NFL's All-1970s Team that is not already enshrined in Canton. The recipient of the NFL's first Hail Mary pass, Pearson helped lead the Cowboys to seven NFL championship game appearances, three NFC titles and a victory in Super Bowl XII.
Contributor: Bill Nunn: Before being known as the Steelers' "Super Scout," Nunn was a successful sportswriter and managing editor of The Pittsburgh Courier, which was one of the nation's most influential Black publications. Nunn used his deep knowledge of historical Black college football programs to create an annual "Black College All-America Team."
In 1968, Nunn joined the Steelers as the team's assistant personnel director. Nunn is credited for acquiring the Steelers players that would contribute to the team's 1970s dynasty. Those players include Joe Greene, Mel Blount, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, John Stallworth, Donnie Shell, Joe Gilliam and Frank Lewis, among others. Nunn, who died in 2014, is one of the few members of the Steelers' organization to play a hand in each of the team's six Super Bowl victories.
Coach: Tom Flores: An assistant on the Raiders' first Super Bowl championship team, Flores was promoted to head coach following John Madden's retirement after the 1978 season. In 1980, the Raiders became the first wild-card team to win the Super Bowl after upsetting the favored Eagles in Super Bowl XV. Three years later, Flores led the Raiders to another Super Bowl upset, as the Raiders shocked Washington (the defending champion) in Super Bowl XVIII, 38-9. The first Latino quarterback in NFL history, Flores is also the first Latino head coach to win the Super Bowl. He is just one of just 12 head coaches with multiple Super Bowl victories, and just one of two coaches (Bill Belichick being the other) to defeat two Super Bowl-winning coaches in the big game.
You can check out a recap of Saturday night's festivities detailing how the the night unfolded in real time below.
Thanks for joining us tonight! Tonight was a nice appetizer for the main event: Super Bowl LV. Have a great night, and be sure to check out CBS Sports for all of your Super Bowl information!
Last but not least: Peyton Manning is a member of the Class of '21: The only five-time league MVP, Manning retired as the NFL's all-time career leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. The first starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises, Manning's 55 touchdown passes in 2013 is still a single-season record.
Walter Payton Man of the Year: Russell Wilson. Wilson is involved in various charities that includes his own foundation. In 2020, Wilson and his wife Ciara partnered with Food Lifeline to donate over a million meals to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aaron Rodgers won the league MVP award: Roders is now a three-time MVP after winning the honor in 2011 and in 2014. In his 13th season as Green Bay's starting quarterback, Rodgers led the NFL in touchdown passes (48) and completion percentage (70.7%).
Up next: 2020 MVP. Kevin Hart to make the announcement.
Tom Flores is officially a member of the 2021 Hall of Fame Class. Raiders owner Mark Madden was with Flores when he was given the news. The first Latino quarterback in NFL history, Flores is also the first Latino head coach to win the Super Bowl. He is just one of just 12 head coaches with multiple Super Bowl victories, and just one of two coaches (Bill Belichick being the other) to defeat two Super Bowl-winning coaches in the big game.
DB John Lynch is a member of the HOF: Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler and strong safety and was also a Pro Bowler during each of his four seasons at free safety. Lynch played a key role in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl XXXVII victory.
Aaron Rodgers giving some love to an old teammate, who is now in the HOF.
There's a big celebration happening somewhere in Pittsburgh. Longtime Steelers scout Bill Nunn is going into the HOF. Before being known as the Steelers' "Super Scout," Nunn was a successful sportswriter and managing editor of The Pittsburgh Courier, which was one of the nation's most influential Black publications. Nunn used his deep knowledge of historical Black college football programs to create an annual "Black College All-America Team."
In 1968, Nunn joined the Steelers as the team's assistant personnel director. Nunn is credited for acquiring the Steelers players that would contribute to the team's 1970s dynasty. Those players include Joe Greene, Mel Blount, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, John Stallworth, Donnie Shell, Joe Gilliam and Frank Lewis, among others. Nunn, who died in 2014, is one of the few members of the Steelers' organization to play a hand in each of the team's six Super Bowl victories.
Jerome Bettis announces that former teammate Alan Faneca as a member of the HOF Class of '21: A nine-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro, Faneca was a key member of the Steelers' 2005 championship team. A member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Faneca also played an integral role in the Jets' 2009 AFC title game run.
Not surprising, Alex Smith wins Comeback Player of the Year award. Very deserving honor for him. Led Washington to the playoffs after missing an entire year after suffering a major leg injury.
Coach of the Year goes to Kevin Stefanski: In his first season in Cleveland, Stefanski led the Browns to an 11-5 record and the franchise's first postseason berth since 2020. The Browns also won their first playoff game since 1994.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and QB Roger Staubach were with Pearson when David Baker gave him the news. Troy Aikman among the Cowboys greats to congratulate Pearson on social media. Every member of the NFL's All-1970s Team is now in the HOF.
Really cool moment. Michael Irvin announces the induction of Drew Pearson into the Hall of Fame. A three-time All-Pro, Pearson is the only member of the NFL's All-1970s Team that is not already enshrined in Canton. The recipient of the NFL's first Hail Mary pass, Pearson helped lead the Cowboys to seven NFL championship game appearances, three NFC titles and a victory in Super Bowl XII.
Offensive Player of the Year goes to Derrick Henry. Henry won his second conscutive rushing title in 2002. He also became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. His 2,027 yards is the fifth-highest in league history.
T.J. Watt responds to not being named DPOY. He obviously had this one ready to go:
"Megatron" was a six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team. A two-time receiving champion, Johnson's 1,964 yards is the highest single-season total in league history.
Barry Sanders announces Calvin Johnson's induction into the HOF. Megatron is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Eli Manning presents DPOY to Aaron Donald. This is Donald's third DPOY award over the past four years. An All-Pro for a sixth straight year in 2020, Donald tallied 13.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 14 tackles for loss.
Washington's Chase Young has won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Young was the standout of his rookie class, leading all rookies in sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (10), pressures (40) and tied for first in forced fumbles (4). His three games with a sack and a forced fumble are the most for a player in Washington franchise history
No kidding. Without a doubt a Hall of Famer.
Herbert thanks former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn for taking a chance on him. Also thanks all of his teammates and the coaching staff.
Herbert threw 31 passing touchdowns this past season, which was an NFL rookie record. He averaged 289.1 passing yards per game, which was an NFL rookie record and the fourth-most this season. Herbert is the second Chargers player to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (RB Don Woods 1974)
Justin Herbert is the winner of the 2020 AP Offensive Rookie of the year.
