The NFL 101 Awards were founded in 1969 by Lamar Hunt and Jack Wheeler to recognize the top players and coaches in professional American football. Each year the 101 Awards names six recipients: an offensive player, a defensive player, and a head coach in both the AFC and the NFC, the two conferences of the National Football League.
The 101 Awards is the nation’s longest-running awards program dedicated exclusively to the NFL. Winners are selected by a national voter based consisting of 101 sportswriters and sportscasters who cover the NFL. The awards are unique in that they honor achievement in each conference separately, rather than the NFL as a whole.
From 1969 to 2023, the awards were presented at an annual event held in Kansas City, Missouri. Beginning with the 2024 NFL season, the awards are announced annually on NFL Network.
Offensive Player of the Year awards
SeasonAFC NFC Player Team Position Player Team Position1969 Daryle Lamonica Oakland Raiders Quarterback Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams Quarterback1970 George Blanda Oakland Raiders Quarterback John Brodie San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1971 Bob Griese (1) Miami Dolphins Quarterback Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys Quarterback1972 O. J. Simpson (1) Buffalo Bills Running back Larry Brown Washington Redskins Running back 1973 O. J. Simpson (2) Buffalo Bills Running back John Hadl Los Angeles Rams Quarterback1974 Ken Stabler Oakland Raiders Quarterback Chuck Foreman Minnesota Vikings Running back1975 O. J. Simpson (3) Buffalo Bills Running back Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings Quarterback1976 Bert Jones Baltimore Colts Quarterback Walter Payton (1) Chicago Bears Running back 1977 Bob Griese (2) Miami Dolphins Quarterback Walter Payton (2) Chicago Bears Running back 1978 Earl Campbell Houston Oilers Running back Archie Manning New Orleans Saints Quarterback1979 Dan Fouts San Diego Chargers Quarterback Ottis Anderson St. Louis Cardinals Running back1980 Brian Sipe Cleveland Browns Quarterback Steve Bartkowski Atlanta Falcons Quarterback1981 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Tony Dorsett Dallas Cowboys Running back 1982 No award - - No award - -1983 Dan Marino (1) Miami Dolphins Quarterback Joe Theisman Washington Redskins Quarterback 1984 Dan Marino (2) Miami Dolphins Quarterback Eric Dickerson Los Angeles Rams Running back 1985 Marcus Allen Los Angeles Raiders Running back Walter Payton (3) Chicago Bears Running back 1986 Dan Marino (3) Miami Dolphins Quarterback Jerry Rice (1) San Francisco 49ers Wide receiver 1987 John Elway (1) Denver Broncos Quarterback Jerry Rice (2) San Francisco 49ers Wide receiver 1988 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Roger Craig San Francisco 49ers Running back1989 Christian Okoye Kansas City Chiefs Running back Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1990 Warren Moon Houston Oilers Quarterback Randall Cunningham (1) Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1991 Thurman Thomas Buffalo Bills Running back Barry Sanders (1) Detroit Lions Running back1992 Barry Foster Pittsburgh Steelers Running back Steve Young (1) San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1993 John Elway (2) Denver Broncos Quarterback Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys Running back1994 Dan Marino (4) Miami Dolphins Quarterback Steve Young (2) San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1995 Jim Harbaugh Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Brett Favre (1) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1996 John Elway (3) Denver Broncos Quarterback Brett Favre (2) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1997 Terrell Davis (1) Denver Broncos Running back Barry Sanders (2) Detroit Lions Running back 1998 Terrell Davis (2) Denver Broncos Running back Randall Cunningham (2) Minnesota Vikings Quarterback 1999 Peyton Manning (1) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Kurt Warner (1) St. Louis Rams Quarterback 2000 Rich Gannon (1) Oakland raiders Quarterback Marshall Faulk St. Louis Rams Running back 2001 Kordell Stewart Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Kurt Warner (2) St. Louis Rams Quarterback 2002 Rich Gannon (2) Oakland Raiders Quarterback Brett Favre (3) Green Bay Packers Quarterback2003 Peyton Manning (2) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Ahman Green Green Bay Packers Running back2004 Peyton Manning (3) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback2005 Peyton Manning (4) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Shaun Alexander Seattle Seahawks Running back 2006 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers Running back Drew Brees (1) New Orleans Saints Quarterback2007 Tom Brady (1) New England Patriots Quarterback Brett Favre (4) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2008 Peyton Manning (5) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Drew Brees (2) New Orleans Saints Quarterback 2009 Peyton Manning (6) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Drew Brees (3) New Orleans Saints Quarterback 2010 Tom Brady (2) New England Patriots Quarterback Michael Vick Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 2011 Tom Brady (3) New England Patriots Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (1) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2012 Peyton Manning (7) Denver Broncos Quarterback Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings Running back2013 Peyton Manning (8) Denver Broncos Quarterback LeSean McCoy Philadelphia Eagles Running back 2014 Le'Veon Bell (tie) Antonio Brown (1) (tie) Pittsburgh Steelers Running back Wide receiver Aaron Rodgers (2) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2015 Tom Brady (4) New England Patriots Quarterback Cam Newton Carolina Panthers Quarterback2016 Tom Brady (5) New England Patriots Quarterback Ezekiel Elliott Dallas Cowboys Quarterback 2017 Antonio Brown (2) Pittsburgh Steelers Wide receiver Todd Gurley Los Angeles Rams Running back 2018 Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Drew Brees (4) New Orleans Saints Quarterback 2019Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Michael Thomas New Orleans Saints Wide receiver 2020 Derrick Henry Tennessee Titans Running back Aaron Rodgers (3) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2021 Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis Colts Running back Cooper Kupp Los Angeles Rams Wide receiver2022 Patrick Mahomes (2) Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback2023 Lamar Jackson (2) Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Christian McCaffrey San Francisco 49ers Running back2024 Lamar Jackson (3) Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Saquon Barkley Philadelphia Eagles Running back2025 Drake Maye New England Patriots Quarterback Matthew Stafford Los Angeles Rams Quarterback
Defensive Player of the Year awards
NFC Defensive Player of the Year 1969— Carl Eller, Minnesota Vikings 1970— Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings 1971— Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings 1972— Chris Hanburger, Washington Redskins 1973— Lee Roy Jordan, Dallas Cowboys 1974— Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings 1975— Jack Youngblood, Los Angeles Rams 1976— Jack Youngblood, Los Angeles Rams 1977— Harvey Martin, Dallas Cowboys 1978— Randy White, Dallas Cowboys 1979— Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1980— Nolan Cromwell, Los Angeles Rams 1981— Fred Dean, San Francisco 49ers 1982— No award due to players strike 1983— Dave Butz, Washington Redskins 1984— Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants 1985— Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears 1986 —Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants 1987— Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles 1988— Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears 1989— Keith Millard, Minnesota Vikings 1990— Charles Haley, San Francisco 49ers 1991— Pat Swilling, New Orleans Saints 1992— Wilber Marshall, Washington Redskins 1993— Deion Sanders, Atlanta Falcons 1994— Deion Sanders, San Francisco 49ers 1995— Reggie White, Green Bay Packers 1996— Kevin Greene, Carolina Panthers 1997— Dana Stubblefield, San Francisco 49ers 1998— Reggie White, Green Bay Packers 1999— Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2000— La'Roi Glover, New Orleans Saints 2001— Michael Strahan, New York Giants 2002— Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2003— Michael Strahan, New York Giants 2004— Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers 2005— Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears 2006— Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears 2007— Patrick Kerney, Seattle Seahawks 2008— DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys 2009— Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers 2010— Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers 2011— Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings 2012— Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers 2013— Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers 2014— Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks 2015— Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams 2016— Landon Collins, New York Giants 2017— Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams 2018— Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams 2019— Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals 2020— Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams 2021— Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys 2022— Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers 2023— Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys 2024— Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions 2025— Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers
AFC Defensive Player of the Year 1969— Bobby Bell, Kansas City Chiefs 1970— Mike Curtis, Baltimore Colts 1971— Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs 1972— Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers 1973— Dick Anderson, Miami Dolphins 1974— Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers 1975— Mel Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers 1976— Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers 1977— Lyle Alzado, Denver Broncos 1978— Randy Gradishar, Denver Broncos 1979— Mike Reinfeldt, Houston Oilers 1980— Lester Hayes, Oakland Raiders 1981— Joe Klecko, New York Jets 1982— No award due to players strike 1983— Doug Betters, Miami Dolphins 1984— Kenny Easley, Seattle Seahawks 1985— Andre Tippett, New England Patriots 1986— Deron Cherry, Kansas City Chiefs 1987— Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills 1988— Cornelius Bennett, Buffalo Bills 1989— Michael Dean Perry, Cleveland Browns 1990— Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills 1991— Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs 1992— Cortez Kennedy, Seattle Seahawks 1993— Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh Steelers 1994— Greg Lloyd, Pittsburgh Steelers 1995— Bryce Paup, Buffalo Bills 1996— Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills 1997— Carnell Lake, Pittsburgh Steelers 1998— Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers 1999— Jevon Kearse, Tennessee Titans 2000— Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens 2001— Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens 2002— Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins 2003— Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens 2004— Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens 2005— Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts 2006— Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins 2007— Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts 2008— James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers 2009— Darrelle Revis, New York Jets 2010— Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers 2011— Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens 2012— J. J. Watt, Houston Texans 2013— Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts 2014— J. J. Watt, Houston Texans 2015— J. J. Watt, Houston Texans 2016— Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders 2017— Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars 2018— J. J. Watt, Houston Texans 2019— Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots 2020— T. J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers 2021— T. J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers 2022— Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs 2023— T. J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers 2024— Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos 2025— Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Coach of the Year awards See: National Football League Coach of the Year Award#Kansas City Committee of 101 AFC/NFC Coach of the Year Awards
NFC Coach of the Year 1969— Bud Grant, Minnesota Vikings 1970— Dick Nolan, San Francisco 49ers 1971— George Allen, Washington Redskins 1972— Dan Devine, Green Bay Packers 1973— Chuck Knox, Los Angeles Rams 1974— Don Coryell, St. Louis Cardinals 1975— Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys 1976— George Allen, Washington Redskins 1977— Leeman Bennett, Atlanta Falcons 1978— Dick Vermeil, Philadelphia Eagles 1979— Dick Vermeil, Philadelphia Eagles 1980— Leeman Bennett, Atlanta Falcons 1981— Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers 1982— No award due to players strike 1983— Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins 1984— Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers 1985— Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears 1986— Bill Parcells, New York Giants 1987— Jim Mora, New Orleans Saints 1988— Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears 1989— Lindy Infante, Green Bay Packers 1990— George Seifert, San Francisco 49ers 1991— Wayne Fontes, Detroit Lions 1992— Mike Holmgren, Green Bay Packers 1993— Dan Reeves, New York Giants 1994— Dave Wannstedt, Chicago Bears 1995— Ray Rhodes, Philadelphia Eagles 1996— Dom Capers, Carolina Panthers