National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
Several organizations give out NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards that are listed in the NFL Record and Fact Book and Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. The Associated Press (AP) has been giving the award since 1972; Pro Football Writers of America/Pro Football Weekly since 1970; and Sporting News has announced winners since 2008. The Newspaper Enterprise Association was the originator of the award in 1966. However, it became defunct after 1997. Also going defunct was the United Press International (UPI) AFC-NFC Defensive Player of the Year Awards that began in 1975.
Associated Press
The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the league's most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971.
| Year | Player name | NFL team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Alan Page | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive tackle |
| 1972 | Joe Greene | Pittsburgh Steelers | Defensive tackle |
| 1973 | Dick Anderson | Miami Dolphins | Safety |
| 1974 | Joe Greene (2) | Pittsburgh Steelers (2) | Defensive tackle |
| 1975 | Mel Blount | Pittsburgh Steelers (3) | Cornerback |
| 1976 | Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers (4) | Linebacker |
| 1977 | Harvey Martin | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive end |
| 1978 | Randy Gradishar | Denver Broncos | Linebacker |
| 1979 | Lee Roy Selmon | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive end |
| 1980 | Lester Hayes | Oakland Raiders | Cornerback |
| 1981 | Lawrence Taylor-R | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1982 | Lawrence Taylor (2) | New York Giants (2) | Linebacker |
| 1983 | Doug Betters | Miami Dolphins (2) | Defensive end |
| 1984 | Kenny Easley | Seattle Seahawks | Safety |
| 1985 | Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor (3) | New York Giants (3) | Linebacker |
| 1987 | Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive end |
| 1988 | Mike Singletary (2) | Chicago Bears (2) | Linebacker |
| 1989 | Keith Millard | Minnesota Vikings (2) | Defensive tackle |
| 1990 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive end |
| 1991 | Pat Swilling | New Orleans Saints | Linebacker |
| 1992 | Cortez Kennedy | Seattle Seahawks (2) | Defensive tackle |
| 1993 | Rod Woodson | Pittsburgh Steelers (5) | Cornerback |
| 1994 | Deion Sanders | San Francisco 49ers | Cornerback |
| 1995 | Bryce Paup | Buffalo Bills (2) | Linebacker |
| 1996 | Bruce Smith (2) | Buffalo Bills (3) | Defensive end |
| 1997 | Dana Stubblefield | San Francisco 49ers (2) | Defensive tackle |
| 1998 | Reggie White (2) | Green Bay Packers | Defensive end |
| 1999 | Warren Sapp | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2) | Defensive tackle |
| 2000 | Ray Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker |
| 2001 | Michael Strahan | New York Giants (4) | Defensive end |
| 2002 | Derrick Brooks | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3) | Linebacker |
| 2003 | Ray Lewis[1] (2) | Baltimore Ravens (2) | Linebacker |
| 2004 | Ed Reed[2] | Baltimore Ravens (3) | Safety |
| 2005 | Brian Urlacher[3] | Chicago Bears (3) | Linebacker |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor[4] | Miami Dolphins (3) | Defensive end |
| 2007 | Bob Sanders[5] | Indianapolis Colts | Safety |
| 2008 | James Harrison[6] | Pittsburgh Steelers (6) | Linebacker |
| 2009 | Charles Woodson[7] | Green Bay Packers (2) | Cornerback |
| 2010 | Troy Polamalu | Pittsburgh Steelers (7) | Safety |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | Baltimore Ravens (4) | Linebacker |
| 2012 | J. J. Watt | Houston Texans | Defensive end |
| 2013 | Luke Kuechly | Carolina Panthers | Linebacker |
| 2014 | J. J. Watt (2) | Houston Texans (2) | Defensive end |
| 2015 | J. J. Watt (3) | Houston Texans (3) | Defensive end |
| 2016 | Khalil Mack | Oakland Raiders (2) | Linebacker |
| 2017 | Aaron Donald | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive tackle |
Pro Football Writers of America
The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is made up of sportswriters who cover the NFL and the 32 teams on a daily basis.
From 1969 to 1991, the Pro Football Writers Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year was presented by Pro Football Weekly only. PFW and the Professional Football Writers of America combined their awards in 1992. In 2013, the award was presented by PFWA alone.
Newspaper Enterprise Association
Beginning in 1966, the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) annually awarded the George S. Halas Trophy to the NFL's outstanding defensive player (Newspaper Enterprise Association Defensive Player of the Year Award). (The George S. Halas Trophy should not be confused with the Pro Football Writers Association's George S. Halas Courage Award or the National Football League's George Halas Trophy that is awarded to the NFC champion.) The winner was released via the NEA news service and also appeared in the World Almanac, which was an NEA publication. The award ran through 1996. It was considered one of the major awards and as included in the NFL Record and Fact Book and its winners still appear in the NFL's Official Encyclopedia, Total Football II. In his book, A Thinking Man's Guide to Pro Football, sportswriter Paul Zimmerman touted the NEA for its All-Pro team and its awards, since they involved polling the players, rather than being a sportswriter's poll like the AP, UPI, and the PFWA.
Winners are awarded George S. Halas Trophy
1966— Larry Wilson, S, St. Louis Cardinals
1967— Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams
1968— Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams
1969— Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears
1970— Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears
1971— Carl Eller, DE, Minnesota Vikings
1972— Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
1973— Alan Page, DT, Minnesota Vikings
1974— Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
1975— Curley Culp, DT, Houston Oilers
1976— Jerry Sherk, DT, Cleveland Browns
1977— Harvey Martin, DE, Dallas Cowboys
1978— Randy Gradishar, ILB, Denver Broncos
1979— Lee Roy Selmon, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1980— Lester Hayes, CB, Oakland Raiders
1981— Joe Klecko, DE, New York Jets
1982— Mark Gastineau, DE, New York Jets
1983— Jack Lambert, MLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
1984— Mike Haynes, CB, Los Angeles Raiders
1985— Howie Long, DE, Los Angeles Raiders/
Andre Tippett, OLB, New England Patriots (tie)
1986— Lawrence Taylor, OLB, New York Giants
1987— Reggie White, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
1988— Mike Singletary, MLB, Chicago Bears
1989— Tim Harris, OLB, Green Bay Packers
1990— Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills
1991— Pat Swilling, OLB, New Orleans Saints
1992— Junior Seau, LB, San Diego Chargers
1993— Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills
1994— Deion Sanders, CB, San Francisco 49ers
1995— Bryce Paup, OLB, Buffalo Bills
1996— Kevin Greene, OLB, Carolina Panthers
1997— Dana Stubblefield, DT, San Francisco 49ers
United Press International
NFC winners
| Season Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 Jack Youngblood | Los Angeles Rams | Defensive End |
| 1976 Wally Chambers | Chicago Bears | Defensive Tackle |
| 1977 Harvey Martin | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive Tackle |
| 1978 Randy White | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive Tackle |
| 1979 Lee Roy Selmon | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Defensive End |
| 1980 Nolan Cromwell | Los Angeles Rams | Safety |
| 1981 Fred Dean | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive End |
| 1982 No Award | ||
| 1983 Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1984 Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1985 Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1986 Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants | Linebacker |
| 1987 Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive End |
| 1988 Mike Singletary | Chicago Bears | Linebacker |
| 1989 Keith Millard | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive Tackle |
| 1990 Charles Haley | San Francisco 49ers | Linebacker |
| 1991 Reggie White | Philadelphia Eagles | Defensive End |
| 1992 Chris Doleman | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive End |
| 1993 Eric Allen | Philadelphia Eagles | Cornerback |
| 1994 Charles Haley | Dallas Cowboys | Defensive End |
| 1995 Reggie White | Green Bay Packers | Defensive End |
| 1996 Kevin Greene | Carolina Panthers | Linebacker |
AFC winners
| Season | Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Mel Blount | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cornerback |
| 1976 | Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 1977 | Lyle Alzado | Denver Broncos | Defensive End |
| 1978 | Randy Gradishar | Denver Broncos | Linebacker |
| 1979 | Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linbebacker |
| 1980 | Lester Hayes | Oakland Raiders | Cornerback |
| 1981 | Joe Klecko | New York Jets | Defensive End |
| 1982 | No Award | ||
| 1983 | Rod Martin | Los Angeles Raiders | Linebacker |
| 1984 | Mark Gastineau | New York Jets | Defensive End |
| 1985 | Andre Tippett | New England Patriots | Linebacker |
| 1986 | Rulon Jones | Denver Broncos | Defensive End |
| 1987 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End |
| 1988 (tie) | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End |
| Cornelius Bennett | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker | |
| 1989 | Michael Dean Perry | Cleveland Browns | Nose Tackle |
| 1990 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End |
| 1991 | Cornelius Bennett | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker |
| 1992 | Junior Seau | San Diego Chargers | Linebacker |
| 1993 | Rod Woodson | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cornerback |
| 1994 | Greg Lloyd | Pittsburgh Steelers | Linebacker |
| 1995 | Bryce Paup | Buffalo Bills | Linebacker |
| 1996 | Bruce Smith | Buffalo Bills | Defensive End |
Football Digest
1992 - Junior Seau, MLB, San Diego Chargers
1993 - Deion Sanders, CB, Atlanta Falcons
1994 - Charles Haley, DE, Dallas Cowboys
1995 - Merton Hanks, S, San Francisco 49ers
1996 - Bruce Smith, DE, Buffalo Bills
1997 - Dana Stubblefield, DT, San Francisco 49ers
1998 - Junior Seau, MLB, San Diego Chargers
1999 - Warren Sapp, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2000 - Ray Lewis, MLB, Baltimore Ravens
2001 - Brian Urlacher, MLB, Chicago Bears
2002 - Derrick Brooks, OLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2003 - Ray Lewis, ILB, Baltimore Ravens
2004 - Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens
Sporting News
2008 - Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans
2009 - Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers
2010 - Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers
2011 - Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings
2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2013 - Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers
2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2015 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2016 - Khalil Mack, DE, Oakland Raiders
Sports Illustrated
2008 - DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys
2009 - Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets
2010 - Julius Peppers, DE, Chicago Bears
2011 - Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers
2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2013 - Robert Quinn, DE, St. Louis Rams
2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
Pro Football Focus
2011 - Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers
2012 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2013 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2014 - J. J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2015 - Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams
2016 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
2017 - Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
Kansas City Committee of 101
Began in 1969, the "101" is 101 of the top NFL sportswriters who have been voting on awards, such as the Defensive Player of each Conference since 1969.
|
NFC Defensive Player of the Year |
AFC Defensive Player of the Year |
See also
- Defensive Player of the Year Award (NFC and AFC) (Kansas City Committee of 101 Awards) (since 1969)
- NEA NFL Defensive Players of the Year (defunct)
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
- UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year (defunct)
- UPI NFC Player of the Year (defunct)
References
- ↑ "Ray Lewis goes from murder suspect to NFL's Defensive Player of Year". Batesville Daily Guard website. Associated Press. January 3, 2001. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "First safety in 20 years to win defensive award". Associated Press. January 7, 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "Urlacher named AP Defensive Player of the Year". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 6, 2006. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2007). "Taylor takes home AP Defensive Player of the Year honor". USAToday.com. Associated Press. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "AP picks Colts' Sanders as top defensive player". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2009). "Steelers' Harrison is AP Defensive Player of Year". google.com. Associated Press. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "CB Woodson voted AP's top defensive player". nfl.com. Associated Press. January 12, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
External links
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year at CBSSportsline.com
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year at The Times Leader website
- at NFL.com News