The NFL Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of former National Football League (NFL) players, coaches, team staff members, and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in service initiatives to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth."
History The organization was founded in 1967, but it was revitalized and restructured under the leadership of Vic Maitland, who became its first full-time CEO in 1977.
Maitland, a former player and marketing executive, reorganized the NFL Alumni into a charitable and educational institution and relocated its headquarters to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He worked for a symbolic salary of $1 per year and personally contributed nearly $1 million to keep the organization afloat during its early years.
Under Maitland's leadership, the NFL Alumni expanded to more than 30 active chapters and launched many signature programs, including:
The Charity Golf Classic Tour (established in 1979), the cornerstone of its fundraising efforts The Player of the Year Awards Dinner (begun in 1982), honoring top players and coaches by votes cast from former players The NFL Alumni Ring, a distinctive gold and sapphire piece introduced in the early 1980s The NFL Alumni Gold Blazer tradition, first awarded in 1978 to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees as part of their ceremonial recognition The Pro Legends Speakers Bureau, which books retired players for public
The association also awards annually several awards like Player of the Year. It also honors past or current players with its Spirit Award for youth-oriented community service, Order of the Leather Helmet Award for individuals who "have made significant contributions to the game of professional football" and the Career Achievement Award given to those "whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization.".
NFL Alumni Player of the Year 2011 Quarterback – Matthew Stafford (Lions) Running Back – Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars) Wide Receiver – Hakeem Nicks (Giants) Lineman – Chris Long (Rams) Linebacker – Aldon Smith (49ers) Defensive Back – Brent Grimes (Falcons) Player of the Year – Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars) Lifetime Achievement – Randall Cunningham
2010 Offense Quarterback – Philip Rivers (Chargers) Running Back – Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars) Wide Receiver – Roddy White (Falcons) Tight End – Jason Witten (Cowboys) Offensive Lineman – Josh Sitton (Packers)
Defense Defensive Lineman – Ndamukong Suh (Lions) Linebacker – Patrick Willis (49ers) Defensive Back – Aqib Talib (Buccaneers)
Special teams Special Teams Player – Devin Hester (Bears)
Overall Player of the Year – Troy Polamalu (Steelers)
Coach Coach – Todd Haley (Chiefs)
Source:
2009 Offense Quarterback – Drew Brees (Saints) Running Back – Chris Johnson (Titans) Wide Receiver – Andre Johnson (Texans) Tight End – Dallas Clark (Colts) Offensive Lineman – Steve Hutchinson (Vikings)
Defense Defensive Lineman – Jared Allen (Vikings) Pass Rusher – Elvis Dumervil (Broncos) Linebacker – Patrick Willis (49ers) Defensive Back – Charles Woodson (Packers)
Special teams Special Teams Player – Joshua Cribbs (Browns)
Coach Coach – Sean Payton (Saints)
2008 Offense Quarterback – Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) Running Back – Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) Wide Receiver – Andre Johnson(Houston Texans) Tight End – Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) Offensive Lineman – Alan Faneca (New York Jets)
Defense Defensive Lineman – Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee Titans) Pass Rusher – DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys) Linebacker – James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers) Defensive Back – Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens)
Special teams Special Teams Player – Leon Washington (New York Jets)
Coach Coach – Tony Sparano (Miami Dolphins)
2007 Offense Quarterback – Tom Brady (New England Patriots) Running Back – Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) Wide Receiver – Randy Moss (New England Patriots) Tight End – Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) Offensive Lineman – Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis Colts)
Defense Defensive Lineman – Mario Williams (Houston Texans) Pass Rusher – Jared Allen (Kansas City Chiefs) Linebacker – Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers) Defensive Back – Antonio Cromartie (San Diego Chargers)
Special teams Special Teams Player – Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)
Coach Coach – Mike McCarthy (Green Bay Packers)
2006 Offense Quarterback – Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) Running Back – LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) Wide Receiver – Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) Tight End – Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens) Offensive Lineman – Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota Vikings)
Defense Defensive Lineman – Jason Taylor (Miami Dolphins) Pass Rusher – Aaron Kampman (Green Bay Packers) Linebacker – Zach Thomas (Miami Dolphins) Defensive Back – Champ Bailey (Denver Broncos)
Special teams Special Teams Player – Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)
Coach Coach – Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints)
NFL Alumni Order of the Leather Helmet Awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of professional football.
1978 Pete Rozelle George Halas Art Rooney
1979 Paul Brown Red Grange Bronko Nagurski
1980 Don Shula Wellington Mara Dominic Olejniczak Pro Football Hall of Fame
1981 Lamar Hunt Tom Landry
1982 Bill Bidwill Alex Wojciechowicz Bud Grant
1983 F. William Harder LeRoy Neiman
1985 George Preston Marshall Weeb Ewbank
1986 Howard Cosell Vince Lombardi Vic Maitland
1987 Ray Scott Steve Sabol Ed Sabol Bert Bell
1988 Raymond Berry
1989 Tex Schramm
1990 Bill Dudley Ollie Matson Steve Van Buren
1991 Hugh McElhenny
1992 Chuck Bednarik Art Modell
1993 Elroy Hirsch Marion Motley
1994 Sid Luckman Sammy Baugh
1995 Otto Graham Chuck Noll
1996 Johnny Unitas Curt Gowdy
1997 Pat Summerall Ralph Wilson
1998 Jim Brown Al Davis
1999 Bobby Mitchell Paul Tagliabue
2000 Len Dawson Deacon Jones
2001 Mike McCormack Mel Renfro
2002 Mel Blount Jim Otto Jim Tunney
2003 Tom Flores Willie Davis
2004 Dick Vermeil Val Pinchbeck Don Weiss
2005 Larry Wilson Joe Greene
2007 Sonny Jurgensen Jack Youngblood
2008 Eric Dickerson John Madden Alex Spanos
NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award Awarded to individuals whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization.
1981 Rocky Bleier Roger Staubach
1982 Merlin Olsen O. J. Simpson
1983 George Blanda Earl Morrall
1985 Frank Gifford Jack Kemp
1986 Dan Fortmann Ray Nitschke
1987 Willie Davis Don Hutson
1988 Art Donovan
1989 Bart Starr
1990 Nick Buoniconti
1992 Ken Farragut
1993 Gino Marchetti
1994 Byron White
1995 Alan Page
1996 Mike Reid
1997 Jerry Richardson
1998 Dr. Robert Khayat
1999 Dr. Ed Sutton
2000 Paul Salata
2001 Terry Bradshaw
2002 Steve Largent
2003 Fred Dryer
2004 Bob Griese
2005 Drew Pearson
2007 Mike Haynes
References
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