The NFL Honors ceremony, one of the league’s most prestigious events, celebrates the season’s best players, coaches, and performances. But behind the scenes, a detailed voting process determines who takes home the top awards, like NFL MVP, Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), and Coach of the Year. So, how exactly does the voting work, and who gets to decide?
The Voting Process And Panel
The winners of the NFL Honors Awards are chosen by a panel of 50 sports journalists and football writers, all selected for their expertise in covering the NFL. These voters are independent of the league, ensuring impartiality in the voting process. The Associated Press (AP) oversees the procedure, which is why the awards are often called the “AP NFL Awards.”
For the MVP award, voters rank their top five players using a 10-5-3-2-1 point system. This method allows voters to express a broader range of opinions. For other awards, such as DPOY, Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY), and Coach of the Year, voters select their top three choices using a 5-3-1 scale. This system ensures a fairer, more detailed result compared to previous years when only a single vote per category was cast.
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The NFL completes voting before the playoffs begin, so postseason performances do not impact the results. Voters focus solely on the regular season, which runs from September to January. Notably, players and coaches do not vote for the NFL Honors. Instead, the 50-member panel of journalists makes all decisions. However, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) conducts its own “Players’ All-Pro” voting, where active players choose the best players in their position groups.
Key Awards And Categories
The NFL Honors recognize several major categories, including:
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- NFL MVP: Awarded to the league’s most valuable player.
- Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Given to the top defensive player.
- Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY): Recognizes the standout offensive player.
- Rookies of the Year: Separate awards for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
- Coach of the Year: Awarded to the top head coach.
- Comeback Player of the Year: Given to the player who has overcome adversity, such as injury, to have a standout season.
The NFL Honors recognize the most deserving players and coaches for their achievements during the regular season. They are conducted by a panel of respected sports journalists and a structured voting system. This process maintains the integrity and prestige of the awards, making them one of the most anticipated events in the NFL calendar.
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