AP_NFL_Offensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award

Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award

Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award

Award given by the Associated Press

The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award (OPOY) is given annually by the Associated Press (AP) to the offensive player in the National Football League (NFL) deemed to have had the most outstanding season. The winner is chosen by votes from a nationwide panel of sportswriters who regularly follow the NFL. Multiple-time awardees include Marshall Faulk and Earl Campbell, both of whom won the award three times, each consecutively. Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders, Tom Brady, Terrell Davis, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning have each won the award twice. Campbell is the only player to win the award as a rookie, doing so in 1978. Warren Moon and Priest Holmes are the only undrafted players to win the award. The award is currently held by running back Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, who received it for the 2023 NFL season after being just the third player in NFL history to post more than 2000 scrimmage yards in a season for two different franchises.

Quick Facts Awarded for, Presented by ...

Every winner of the award has been either a running back or a quarterback, with the exception of wide receivers Jerry Rice, Michael Thomas, Cooper Kupp, and Justin Jefferson [1] Running backs have been awarded 26 times, followed by quarterbacks, with 20 awards. Of the 49 winners, 28 were also named the AP NFL Most Valuable Player in the same season. Since 2011, both awards have been given out at the annual NFL Honors ceremony along with other AP awards, including the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and AP NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards.[2]

Players are often awarded after record-breaking or near-record-breaking offensive seasons. Running back O. J. Simpson won the award for 1973 after rushing for a record 2,003 yards, becoming the first NFL player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.[3] When his record was broken by Eric Dickerson in 1984, Dickerson placed second in voting behind quarterback Dan Marino, who that year was the first to pass for 5,000 yards in a season.[4] Marino's 5,084 yards stood as the record for 27 years before being broken by Drew Brees in 2011, who won that season's award.[5] In turn, 2013 winner Peyton Manning set league single-season records for passing yards (5,477) and passing touchdowns (55).[6]

Winners

Tomlinson running with the football, attempting to evade two defenders
2006 winner LaDainian Tomlinson set NFL single-season records for rushing touchdowns (28), touchdowns from scrimmage (31), and points scored (186).[7]
Peterson in full uniform walking on the field
Adrian Peterson won the award in 2012 after rushing for 2,097 yards, the second most all time by a player in a single season.[8]
More information Season, Player ...

Multiple-time winners

More information Player, Awards ...

See also

References

General
  • Gellerman, Jacob; Drexler, Sam; Marini, Matt; Cocchiaro, Nicolas; Zerkel, Alex, eds. (2016). 2018 Official NFL Record and Fact Book (PDF). National Football League. p. 524. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  • "AP Offensive Player of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
Footnotes
  1. [1]
    Hope, Dan (July 7, 2013). "Ranking the Top 25 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Candidates". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 26, 2017. The award is typically given to the league's most productive quarterback or running back. Of the 41 times it has been given, it's been won 39 times by either a quarterback or running back. The exception is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, who won the award in both 1987 and 1993.
  2. [2]
    "First-ever 'NFL Honors' show will be hosted by Baldwin in Indy". NFL.com. National Football League. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  3. [3]
    "Simpson Offensive Winner". Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. January 4, 1974. p. 11. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. [4]
    "Record-breaking Marino wins top offensive honor". Gadsden Times. Associated Press. December 19, 1984. p. D2. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  5. [5]
    "Saints' Brees wins AP Offensive Player of the Year award". NFL.com. NFL. February 4, 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. [6]
    "Broncos' Peyton Manning earns Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. NFL. February 2, 2014. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. [7]
    Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2007). "L.T. Wins AP Offensive Player Award". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  8. [8]
    "Adrian Peterson tabbed AP Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. NFL. February 2, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  9. [9]
    "Top NFL Offensive Player: Larry Brown Doesn't Like Comparisons With Others". Observer-Reporter. Associated Press. January 5, 1973. p. B-4. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  10. [10]
    "Ken Stabler Named NFL's Offensive Player Of Year". Sarasota Herald Tribune. Associated Press. January 8, 1975. p. 1C. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  11. [11]
    "Tarkenton Honored". The Vic jotos de mierda toria Advocate. Associated Press. January 13, 1976. p. 2B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  12. [12]
    "Offensive Award to Bert Jones". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 30, 1976. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  13. [13]
    "Chicago's Payton Picked Offensive Player Of Year". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 5, 1978. p. C3. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  14. [14]
    "Campbell Wins Offensive Title". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. January 12, 1979. p. 6B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  15. [15]
    "Campbell Walks With Second Offensive Title". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Associated Press. December 24, 1979. p. 33. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  16. [16]
    Olderman, Murray (January 18, 1981). "Earl Campbell: a triple champ". The Nevada Daily Mail. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 10. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  17. [17]
    "Anderson is top offensive player". The Telegraph. Associated Press. January 8, 1982. p. 18. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  18. [18]
    "Fouts Tops On Offense". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. January 7, 1983. p. 18. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  19. [19]
    Lowitt, Bruce (December 23, 1983). "Theismann crowned as top offensive player". Daily News. Associated Press. p. 3B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  20. [20]
    Nadel, John (December 30, 1983). "Allen sweeps offensive honors". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. p. 5. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  21. [21]
    "Dickerson earns offensive honor". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. December 30, 1986. p. 10. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  22. [22]
    "Rice is Offensive Player of the year". The Evening News. Associated Press. December 30, 1987. p. 2B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  23. [23]
    Wilner, Barry (December 29, 1988). "Craig earns offensive award". The Times-News. Associated Press. p. 20. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  24. [24]
    "Young named Offensive Player of the Year". The Times-News. Associated Press. January 5, 1993. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  25. [25]
    "Moon top offensive player". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. January 10, 1991. p. 11. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  26. [26]
    "No more doubting Thomas: Bills' back selected as Offensive Player of Year". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 30, 1991. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  27. [27]
    Wilner, Barry (January 6, 1994). "Rice Offensive Player of the Year". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  28. [28]
    "Sanders are players of the year". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 29, 1994. p. 3C. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  29. [29]
    "Favre voted best on offense". The News. Associated Press. December 30, 1995. p. 3C. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  30. [30]
    "Denver running back Davis is Offensive Player of the Year". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. December 27, 1996. p. 10. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  31. [31]
    Barry, Wilner (December 26, 1997). "Detroit's Sanders named Offensive Player of Year". Daily News. Associated Press. p. 1B. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  32. [32]
    Wilner, Barry (January 6, 1999). "Davis named Offensive Player of the Year". Boca Raton News. Associated Press. p. 4B. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  33. [33]
    "Faulk is overwhelming choice for offensive player of the year". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. January 13, 2000. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  34. [34]
    "Faulk: Offensive Player of Year". Gadsden Times. January 5, 2001. p. D3. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  35. [35]
    "Marshall Faulk wins Offensive Player of the Year". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. January 18, 2002. p. 11. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  36. [36]
    Wilner, Barry (January 10, 2003). "Honored Holmes: Chiefs back voted top offensive player". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. p. 5B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  37. [37]
    "Ravens' Lewis named AP's offensive player of the year". Athens Banner-Herald. Associated Press. January 1, 2004. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  38. [38]
    "Manning claims offensive award". TimesDaily. Associated Press. January 6, 2005. p. 3C. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  39. [39]
    Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2006). "Alexander named NFL MVP, top offensive player". USA Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  40. [40]
    "Brady adds AP Offensive Player of Year to MVP". NFL.com. Associated Press. January 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  41. [41]
    "Brees named AP offensive player of year". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 6, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  42. [42]
    "Johnson makes fast impression". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 13, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  43. [43]
    "Brady wins AP offensive player of year award". The Denver Post. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  44. [44]
    Brinson, Will (January 31, 2015). "NFL Offensive Player of the Year: DeMarco Murray beats Aaron Rodgers". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  45. [45]
    "Cam Newton named NFL MVP and offensive player of the year". The Guardian. Associated Press. February 6, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  46. [46]
    McClure, Vaughn (February 4, 2017). "Falcons QB Matt Ryan wins NFL MVP, Offensive Player of Year". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  47. [47]
    Knoblauch, Austin (February 3, 2018). "Todd Gurley named NFL Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018.
  48. [48]
    Gordon, Grant (2019-02-02). "Patrick Mahomes named NFL Offensive Player of Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  49. [49]
    Scott, Jelani (February 1, 2020). "Saints WR Michael Thomas named 2019 NFL OPOY". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  50. [50]
    Maya, Adam (February 6, 2021). "Titans RB Derrick Henry named NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  51. [51]
    Maya, Adam (February 10, 2022). "Rams WR Cooper Kupp named 2021 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  52. [52]
    Edholm, Eric (February 9, 2023). "Vikings WR Justin Jefferson named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  53. [53]
    Edholm, Eric (February 9, 2024). "Niners RB Christian McCaffrey named AP 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article AP_NFL_Offensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.