This Year’s NFL 101 Awards in Kansas City to honor Baltimore Ravens coach, quarterback
The NFL 101 Awards committee is high on the Baltimore Ravens.
Even if they’re staying home this weekend.
The “Committee of 101,” comprised of 101 media members, announced its annual NFL end-of-season awards recipients, who will be presented with a trophy during a gala in Kansas City next month.
The committee selected Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson as the AFC offensive player of the year, New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas as the NFL offensive player of the year, New England cornerback Stephon Gilmore as the AFC defensive player of the year, Arizona linebacker Chandler Jones as the NFC defensive player of the year, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh as the AFC coach of the year and San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan as NFC coach of the year.
The winners will be presented their awards by a former 101 Awards legend at the Kansas City event on Feb. 29.
The black-tie gala in Kansas City will recognize two yet-to-be named Chiefs winners — the Derrick Thomas Award for the team’s most valuable player and the Mack Lee Hill Award for the best Chiefs rookie.
The committee is also honoring the late Bart Starr, the former Green Bay quarterback, with the Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football, created in 2007 to recognize “significant contribution” to the NFL.
Proceeds from the awards benefit the University of Kansas Health System’s Sports Medicine and Performance Center.
Jackson and Harbaugh led the Ravens to a 14-2 record and the top seed in the AFC before they lost last weekend to Tennessee. Jackson broke the single-season rushing record for a quarterback with 1,206 and also led the league with 36 touchdown passes.
Thomas broke an NFL record with 149 catches, adding 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns.
Gilmore recorded a league-best six interceptions and 20 passes defended.
Jones had 19 sacks and led the league with eight forced fumbles.
Like Harbaugh, Shanahan paced his team to a No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The NFC’s top team will play host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.