For 70 years, Sporting News has handed out awards to the NFL's best at the end of each season.
The annual awards honor the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, as well as the season's top head coach, coordinator, executive, rookies and more.
In addition to annual awards, Sporting News has published an All-Pro team for each season since 1954.
Here is a full guide to the history of Sporting News' NFL awards, including complete lists of winners.
History of Sporting News' NFL awards
Sporting News began selecting awards at the end of each NFL season in 1954, earlier than the Associated Press and other major outlets. That was the same year its first All-Pro team was published, honoring the best players from around the NFL.
While some awards, such as Coordinator of the Year, began more recently, Sporting News' long list of NFL award winners offers a glimpse into the history of football.
Who votes on Sporting News' NFL awards?
Since 2008, NFL players, coaches and executives have voted for Sporting News' NFL awards. The awards give the players who go up against the NFL's best and the executives who evaluate them a say in determining who were some of the league's most valuable individuals each season.
- All-Pro rosters: NFL head coaches
- Offensive Player of the Year: NFL players
- Defensive Player of the Year: NFL players
- Comeback Player of the Year: NFL players
- Rookie of the Year: NFL players
- Coach of the Year: NFL head coaches
- Coordinator of the Year: NFL head coaches
- Executive of the Year: NFL front-office personnel
Player of the Year
Sporting News began awarding NFL Player of the Year honors in 1954. While the criteria has changed a few times since then, the award was initially given to one player each season.
1954 - 1969
| Season | Player | Team | Position |
| 1954 | Lou Groza | Browns | OT-K |
| 1955 | Otto Graham | Browns | QB |
| 1956 | Frank Gifford | Giants | HB |
| 1957 | Jim Brown | Browns | FB |
| 1958 | Jim Brown | Browns | FB |
| 1959 | Johnny Unitas | Colts | QB |
| 1960 | Norm Van Brocklin | Eagles | QB |
| 1961 | Paul Hornung | Packers | HB |
| 1962 | Y.A. Tittle | Giants | QB |
| 1963 | Y.A. Tittle | Giants | QB |
| 1964 | Johnny Unitas | Colts | QB |
| 1965 | Jim Brown | Browns | FB |
| 1966 | Bart Starr | Packers | QB |
| 1967 | Johnny Unitas | Colts | QB |
| 1968 | Earl Morrall | Colts | QB |
| 1969 | Roman Gabriel | Rams | QB |
1970 - 1979
In 1970, Sporting News began awarding a Player of the Year honor for both the AFC and NFC.
| Season | NFC Winner | Team | Position | AFC Winner | Team | Position |
| 1970 | John Brodie | 49ers | QB | George Blanda | Raiders | QB |
| 1971 | Roger Staubach | Cowboys | QB | Bob Griese | Dolphins | QB |
| 1972 | Larry Brown | Washington | RB | Earl Morrall | Dolphins | QB |
| 1973 | John Hadl | Rams | QB | O.J. Simpson | Bills | RB |
| 1974 | Chuck Foreman | Vikings | RB | Ken Stabler | Raiders | QB |
| 1975 | Fran Tarkenton | Vikings | QB | O.J. Simpson | Bills | RB |
| 1976 | Walter Payton | Bears | RB | Ken Stabler | Raiders | QB |
| 1977 | Walter Payton | Bears | RB | Craig Morton | Broncos | QB |
| 1978 | Archie Manning | Saints | QB | Earl Campbell | Oilers | RB |
| 1979 | Ottis Anderson | Cardinals | RB | Dan Fouts | Chargers | QB |
1980 - 2007
Sporting News reverted to a single NFL Player of the Year award in 1980.
| Season | Winner | Team | Position |
| 1980 | Brian Sipe | Browns | QB |
| 1981 | Ken Anderson | Bengals | QB |
| 1982 | Mark Moseley | Washington | K |
| 1983 | Eric Dickerson | Rams | RB |
| 1984 | Dan Marino | Dolphins | QB |
| 1985 | Marcus Allen | Raiders | RB |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | Giants | DT |
| 1987 | Jerry Rice | 49ers | WR |
| 1988 | Boomer Esiason | Bengals | QB |
| 1989 | Joe Montana | 49ers | QB |
| 1990 | Jerry Rice | 49ers | WR |
| 1991 | Thurman Thomas | Bills | RB |
| 1992 | Steve Young | 49ers | QB |
| 1993 | Emmitt Smith | Cowboys | RB |
| 1994 | Steve Young | 49ers | QB |
| 1995 | Brett Favre | Packers | QB |
| 1996 | Brett Favre | Packers | QB |
| 1997 | Barry Sanders | Lions | RB |
| 1998 | Terrell Davis | Broncos | RB |
| 1999 | Kurt Warner | Rams | QB |
| 2000 | Marshall Faulk | Rams | RB |
| 2001 | Marshall Faulk | Rams | RB |
| 2002 | Rich Gannon | Raiders | QB |
| 2003 | Peyton Manning | Colts | QB |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning | Colts | QB |
| 2005 | Shaun Alexander | Seahawks | RB |
| 2006 | LaDainian Tomlinson | Chargers | RB |
| 2007 | Tom Brady | Patriots | QB |
In 2008, Sporting News began awarding both Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Offensive Player of the Year
Under the current format, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are tied for the lead with two Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year awards.
| Season | Winner | Team | Position |
| 2008 | Drew Brees | Saints | QB |
| 2009 | Drew Brees | Saints | QB |
| 2010 | Tom Brady | Patriots | QB |
| 2011 | Aaron Rodgers | Packers | QB |
| 2012 | Adrian Peterson | Vikings | RB |
| 2013 | Peyton Manning | Broncos | QB |
| 2014 | Aaron Rodgers | Packers | QB |
| 2015 | Cam Newton | Panthers | QB |
| 2016 | Tom Brady | Patriots | QB |
| 2017 | Antonio Brown | Steelers | WR |
| 2018 | Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | QB |
| 2019 | Lamar Jackson | Ravens | QB |
| 2020 | Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | QB |
| 2021 | Jonathan Taylor | Colts | RB |
| 2022 | Justin Jefferson | Vikings | WR |
| 2023 | Lamar Jackson | Ravens | QB |
| 2024 | Saquon Barkley | Eagles | RB |
Defensive Player of the Year
Since 2008, J.J. Watt has the most Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year awards with three. Myles Garrett joined him and Aaron Donald (2) as the only players with more than one.
| Season | Winner | Team | Position |
| 2008 | Albert Haynesworth | Titans | DT |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson | Packers | CB |
| 2010 | Clay Matthews | Packers | DE |
| 2011 | Jared Allen | Vikings | DE |
| 2012 | J.J. Watt | Texans | DE |
| 2013 | Luke Kuechly | Panthers | LB |
| 2014 | J.J. Watt | Texans | DE |
| 2015 | J.J. Watt | Texans | DE |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | Raiders | DE |
| 2017 | Calais Campbell | Jaguars | DE |
| 2018 | Aaron Donald | Rams | DT |
| 2019 | Stephon Gilmore | Patriots | CB |
| 2020 | Aaron Donald | Rams | DT |
| 2021 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | DE |
| 2022 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | OLB |
| 2023 | Myles Garrett | Browns | DE |
| 2024 | Myles Garrett | Browns | DE |
Comeback Player of the Year
The Buccaneers are the only team with multiple Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year award winners. Antonio Bryant won the inaugural award in 2008, and Darrelle Revis won in 2013 in his only season with Tampa Bay.
| Season | Winner | Team | Position |
| 2008 | Antonio Bryant | Buccaneers | WR |
| 2009 | Vince Young | Titans | QB |
| 2010 | Michael Vick | Eagles | QB |
| 2011 | Plaxico Burress | Jets | WR |
| 2012 | Adrian Peterson | Vikings | RB |
| 2013 | Darrelle Revis | Buccaneers | CB |
| 2014 | Rob Gronkowski | Patriots | TE |
| 2015 | Carson Palmer | Cardinals | QB |
| 2016 | Jordy Nelson | Packers | WR |
| 2017 | Keenan Allen | Chargers | WR |
| 2018 | Andrew Luck | Colts | QB |
| 2019 | Jimmy Garoppolo | 49ers | QB |
| 2020 | Alex Smith | Washington | QB |
| 2021 | Dak Prescott | Cowboys | QB |
| 2022 | Geno Smith | Seahawks | QB |
| 2023 | Tua Tagovailoa | Dolphins | QB |
| 2024 | Sam Darnold | Vikings | QB |
Rookie of the Year
The Lions have the most Sporting News Rookie of the Year awards with eight, the most recent being Ndamukong Suh in 2010.
Detroit's NFC North rival Vikings are the closest competitor with five such awards, the most recent being Percy Harvin in 2009.
1955 - 1969
From 1955 to 1969, Sporting News awarded one Rookie of the Year honor.
| Season | Winner | Team | Position |
| 1955 | Alan Ameche | Colts | FB |
| 1956 | J.C. Caroline | Bears | HB |
| 1957 | Jim Brown | Browns | FB |
| 1958 | Bobby Mitchell | Browns | HB |
| 1959 | Nick Pietrosante | Lions | FB |
| 1960 | Gail Cogdill | Lions | E |
| 1961 | Mike Ditka | Bears | E |
| 1962 | Ronnie Bull | Bears | HB |
| 1963 | Paul Flatley | Vikings | WR |
| 1964 | Charley Taylor | Washington | HB |
| 1965 | Gale Sayers | Bears | RB |
| 1966 | Tommy Nobis | Falcons | LB |
| 1967 | Mel Farr | Lions | RB |
| 1968 | Earl McCullouch | Lions | WR |
| 1969 | Calvin Hill | Cowboys | RB |
1970 - 1979
In 1970, Sporting News began awarding a Rookie of the Year honor for both the AFC and NFC.
| Season | NFC Winner | Team | Position | AFC Winner | Team | Position |
| 1970 | Bruce Taylor | 49ers | DB | Dennis Shaw | Bills | QB |
| 1971 | John Brockington | Packers | RB | Jim Plunkett | Patriots | QB |
| 1972 | Chester Marcol | Packers | K | Franco Harris | Steelers | RB |
| 1973 | Chuck Foreman | Vikings | RB | Boobie Clark | Bengals | RB |
| 1974 | Wilbur Jackson | 49ers | RB | Don Woods | Chargers | RB |
| 1975 | Steve Bartkowski | Falcons | QB | Robert Brazile | Oilers | LB |
| 1976 | Sammy White | Vikings | RB | Mike Haynes | Patriots | CB |
| 1977 | Tony Dorsett | Cowboys | RB | A.J. Duhe | Dolphins | LB |
| 1978 | Al Baker | Lions | DE | Earl Campbell | Oilers | RB |
| 1979 | Ottis Anderson | Cardinals | RB | Jerry Butler | Bills | WR |
1980 - Present
In 1980, Sporting News reverted to a single Rookie of the Year award.
| Season | Winner | Team | Position |
| 1980 | Billy Sims | Lions | RB |
| 1981 | George Rogers | Saints | RB |
| 1982 | Marcus Allen | Raiders | RB |
| 1983 | Dan Marino | Dolphins | QB |
| 1984 | Louis Lipps | Steelers | WR |
| 1985 | Eddie Brown | Bengals | WR |
| 1986 | Rueben Mayes | Saints | RB |
| 1987 | Robert Awalt | Cardinals | TE |
| 1988 | Keith Jackson | Eagles | RB |
| 1989 | Barry Sanders | Lions | RB |
| 1990 | Richmond Webb | Dolphins | OT |
| 1991 | Mike Croel | Broncos | OLB |
| 1992 | Santana Dotson | Packers | DL |
| 1993 | Jerome Bettis | Rams | RB |
| 1994 | Marshall Faulk | Colts | RB |
| 1995 | Curtis Martin | Patriots | RB |
| 1996 | Eddie George | Oilers | RB |
| 1997 | Warrick Dunn | Buccaneers | RB |
| 1998 | Randy Moss | Vikings | WR |
| 1999 | Edgerrin James | Colts | RB |
| 2000 | Brian Urlacher | Bears | LB |
| 2001 | Kendrell Bell | Steelers | LB |
| 2002 | Clinton Portis | Broncos | RB |
| 2003 | Anquan Boldin | Cardinals | WR |
| 2004 | Ben Roethlisberger | Steelers | QB |
| 2005 | Shawne Merriman | Chargers | LB |
| 2006 | Vince Young | Titans | QB |
| 2007 | Adrian Peterson | Vikings | RB |
| 2008 | Matt Ryan | Falcons | QB |
| 2009 | Percy Harvin | Vikings | WR |
| 2010 | Ndamukong Suh | Lions | DT |
| 2011 | Cam Newton | Panthers | QB |
| 2012 | Robert Griffin III | Washington | QB |
| 2013 | Eddie Lacy | Packers | RB |
| 2014 | Odell Beckham Jr. | Giants | WR |
| 2015 | Todd Gurley | Rams | RB |
| 2016 | Ezekiel Elliott | Cowboys | RB |
| 2017 | Alvin Kamara | Saints | RB |
| 2018 | Saquon Barkley | Giants | RB |
| 2019 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | DE |
| 2020 | Justin Jefferson | Vikings | WR |
| 2021 | Ja'Marr Chase | Bengals | WR |
| 2022 | Sauce Gardner | Jets | CB |
| 2023 | Puka Nacua | Rams | WR |
| 2024 | Jayden Daniels | Commanders | QB |
Executive of the Year
Sporting News initially handed out an Executive of the Year award in 1955 and 1956. The award returned in 1972.
Bill Polian has won the most Sporting News Executive of the Year awards with six. Polian won two awards each with the Bills, Panthers, and Colts across his esteemed career.
Former Giants general manager George Young trails Polian with five awards. No other executive has won the award more than two times.
| Season | Winner | Team |
| 1955 | Dan Reeves | Rams |
| 1956 | George Halas | Bears |
| 1972 | Dan Rooney | Steelers |
| 1973 | Jim Finks | Vikings |
| 1974 | Art Rooney | Steelers |
| 1975 | Joe Thomas | Colts |
| 1976 | Al Davis | Raiders |
| 1977 | Tex Schramm | Cowboys |
| 1978 | John Thompson | Seahawks |
| 1979 | John Sanders | Chargers |
| 1980 | Eddie LeBaron | Falcons |
| 1981 | Paul Brown | Bengals |
| 1982 | Bobby Beathard | Washington |
| 1983 | Bobby Beathard | Washington |
| 1984 | George Young | Giants |
| 1985 | Mike McCaskey | Bears |
| 1986 | George Young | Giants |
| 1987 | Jim Finks | Saints |
| 1988 | Bill Polian | Bills |
| 1989 | John McVay | 49ers |
| 1990 | George Young | Giants |
| 1991 | Bill Polian | Bills |
| 1992 | Ron Wolf | Packers |
| 1993 | George Young | Giants |
| 1994 | Carmen Policy | 49ers |
| 1995 | Bill Polian | Panthers |
| 1996 | Bill Polian | Panthers |
| 1997 | George Young | Giants |
| 1998 | Jeff Diamond | Vikings |
| 1999 | Bill Polian | Colts |
| 2000 | Randy Mueller | Saints |
| 2001 | Dan Rooney | Steelers |
| 2002 | Bruce Allen | Raiders |
| 2003 | Scott Pioli | Patriots |
| 2004 | Scott Pioli | Patriots |
| 2005 | Art Rooney II | Steelers |
| 2006 | Mickey Loomis | Saints |
| 2007 | Ted Thompson | Packers |
| 2008 | Thomas Dimitroff | Falcons |
| 2009 | Bill Polian | Colts |
| 2010 | Thomas Dimitroff | Falcons |
| 2011 | Ted Thompson | Packers |
| 2012 | Ryan Grigson | Colts |
| 2013 | No Selection | |
| 2014 | Steve Keim | Cardinals |
| 2015 | Dave Gettleman | Panthers |
| 2016 | Reggie McKenzie | Raiders |
| 2017 | Howie Roseman | Eagles |
| 2018 | Ryan Pace | Bears |
| 2019 | Eric DeCosta | Ravens |
| 2020 | Brandon Beane | Bills |
| 2021 | Duke Tobin | Bengals |
| 2022 | Brandon Beane | Bills |
| 2023 | Brad Holmes | Lions |
| 2024 | Brad Holmes | Lions |
Coach of the Year
Sporting News has awarded a Coach of the Year honor since 1947. While there was no selection for some years early on, including from 1957 to 1960, the award has been handed out consistently each season since 1963.
Legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula and current Chiefs coach Andy Reid are tied for the most Sporting News Coach of the Year honors with four. Paul Brown, Joe Gibbs and Mike Smith have all won the award three times.
The Giants have won more Coach of the Year awards than any other team, with six.
| Season | Winner | Team |
| 1947 | Jimmy Conzelman | Cardinals |
| 1948 | Earle Neale | Eagles |
| 1949 | Paul Brown | Browns |
| 1950 | Steve Owen | Giants |
| 1951 | Paul Brown | Browns |
| 1952 | J. Hampton Pool | Rams |
| 1953 | Paul Brown | Browns |
| 1955 | Joe Kuharich | Washington |
| 1956 | Jim Lee Howell | Giants |
| 1961 | Vince Lombardi | Packers |
| 1963 | George Halas | Bears |
| 1964 | Don Shula | Colts |
| 1965 | George Halas | Bears |
| 1966 | Tom Landry | Cowboys |
| 1967 | George Allen | Rams |
| 1968 | Don Shula | Colts |
| 1969 | Bud Grant | Vikings |
| 1970 | Don Shula | Dolphins |
| 1971 | George Allen | Rams |
| 1972 | Don Shula | Dolphins |
| 1973 | Chuck Knox | Rams |
| 1974 | Don Coryell | Cardinals |
| 1975 | Ted Marchibroda | Colts |
| 1976 | Chuck Fairbanks | Patriots |
| 1977 | Red Miller | Broncos |
| 1978 | Jack Patera | Seahawks |
| 1979 | Dick Vermeil | Eagles |
| 1980 | Chuck Knox | Bills |
| 1981 | Bill Walsh | 49ers |
| 1982 | Joe Gibbs | Washington |
| 1983 | Joe Gibbs | Washington |
| 1984 | Chuck Knox | Seahawks |
| 1985 | Mike Ditka | Bears |
| 1986 | Bill Parcells | Giants |
| 1987 | Jim Mora | Saints |
| 1988 | Marv Levy | Bills |
| 1989 | Lindy Infante | Packers |
| 1990 | George Seifert | 49ers |
| 1991 | Joe Gibbs | Washington |
| 1992 | Bill Cowher | Steelers |
| 1993 | Dan Reeves | Giants |
| 1994 | George Seifert | 49ers |
| 1995 | Ray Rhodes | Eagles |
| 1996 | Dom Capers | Panthers |
| 1997 | Jim Fassel | Giants |
| 1998 | Dan Reeves | Giants |
| 1999 | Dick Vermeil | Rams |
| 2000 | Andy Reid | Eagles |
| 2001 | Dick Jauron | Bears |
| 2002 | Andy Reid | Eagles |
| 2003 | Bill Belichick | Patriots |
| 2004 | Bill Cowher | Steelers |
| 2005 | Tony Dungy | Colts |
| 2006 | Sean Payton | Saints |
| 2007 | Bill Belichick | Patriots |
| 2008 | Mike Smith | Falcons |
| 2009 | Sean Payton | Saints |
| 2010 | Mike Smith | Falcons |
| 2011 | Jim Harbaugh | 49ers |
| 2012 | Mike Smith | Falcons |
| 2013 | Ron Rivera | Panthers |
| 2014 | Bruce Arians | Cardinals |
| 2015 | Ron Rivera | Panthers |
| 2016 | Andy Reid | Chiefs |
| 2017 | Sean McVay | Rams |
| 2018 | Andy Reid | Chiefs |
| 2019 | Kyle Shanahan | 49ers |
| 2020 | Kevin Stefanski | Browns |
| 2021 | Mike Vrabel | Titans |
| 2022 | Sean McDermott | Bills |
| 2023 | Dan Campbell | Lions |
| 2024 | Kevin O'Connell | Vikings |
Coordinator of the Year
Sporting News launched the Coordinator of the Year award in 2008 and resumed it in 2016 after a three-year hiatus. No coordinator has won it more than once, due in part to many winners becoming head coaches elsewhere.
| Season | Winner | Team | Position |
| 2008 | Dick LeBeau | Steelers | DC |
| 2009 | Dom Capers | Packers | DC |
| 2010 | Mike Mularkey | Falcons | OC |
| 2011 | Wade Phillips | Cowboys | DC |
| 2012 | Bruce Arians | Colts | OC/Interim HC |
| 2016 | Kyle Shanahan | Falcons | OC |
| 2017 | Todd Wash | Jaguars | DC |
| 2018 | Vic Fangio | Bears | DC |
| 2019 | Robert Saleh | 49ers | DC |
| 2020 | Eric Bieniemy | Chiefs | OC |
| 2021 | Dan Quinn | Cowboys | DC |
| 2022 | DeMeco Ryans | 49ers | DC |
| 2023 | Mike Macdonald | Ravens | DC |
| 2023 | Ben Johnson | Lions | OC |
NFL All-Pro team
Sporting News published its first NFL All-Pro team in 1954, after publishing the teams selected by New York Daily News from 1950 to 1953.
The format underwent changes over the years, naming an Eastern Division and Western Division team from 1958 to 1969 before switching to an offensive and defensive team for both the AFC and NFC in 1970.
Since 1980, Sporting News has selected one All-NFL team that includes offense, defense, and specialists.
Jerry Rice leads all offensive players with 10 selections to Sporting News' All-Pro team, while Bruce Smith leads defensive players with nine.