Bert Bell Award

The Bert Bell Award is given by the Maxwell Football Club to the player of the year in the National Football League (NFL). The award is named in honor of Bert Bell (1895–1959), who was the commissioner of the NFL and founder of the Maxwell Club.

Bert Bell Award
Given forNFL player of the year
CountryUnited States
Presented byMaxwell Football Club
History
First award1959
Most winsPeyton Manning, Randall Cunningham, & Johnny Unitas (3)
Most recentJalen Hurts

Winners

Season Player Position Team Ref
1959 Unitas, JohnnyJohnny Unitas Quarterback Baltimore Colts [1]
1960 Van Brocklin, NormNorm Van Brocklin Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles [2]
1961 Hornung, PaulPaul Hornung Running back Green Bay Packers [3]
1962 Robustelli, AndyAndy Robustelli Defensive end New York Giants [4]
1963 Brown, JimJim Brown Running back Cleveland Browns [5]
1964 Unitas, JohnnyJohnny Unitas (2) Quarterback Baltimore Colts [6]
1965 Retzlaff, PetePete Retzlaff Tight end Philadelphia Eagles [7]
1966 Meredith, DonDon Meredith Quarterback Dallas Cowboys [8]
1967 Unitas, JohnnyJohnny Unitas (3) Quarterback Baltimore Colts [9]
1968 Kelly, LeroyLeroy Kelly Running back Cleveland Browns [10]
1969 Gabriel, RomanRoman Gabriel Quarterback Los Angeles Rams [11]
1970 Blanda, GeorgeGeorge Blanda Quarterback Oakland Raiders [12]
1971 Staubach, RogerRoger Staubach Quarterback Dallas Cowboys [13]
1972 Brown, LarryLarry Brown Running back Washington Redskins [14]
1973 Simpson, O. J.O. J. Simpson Running back Buffalo Bills [15]
1974 Olsen, MerlinMerlin Olsen Defensive tackle Los Angeles Rams [16]
1975 Tarkenton, FranFran Tarkenton Quarterback Minnesota Vikings [17]
1976 Stabler, KenKen Stabler Quarterback Oakland Raiders [18]
1977 Griese, BobBob Griese Quarterback Miami Dolphins [19]
1978 Bradshaw, TerryTerry Bradshaw Quarterback Pittsburgh Steelers [20]
1979 Campbell, EarlEarl Campbell Running back Houston Oilers [21]
1980 Jaworski, RonRon Jaworski Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles [22]
1981 Anderson, KenKen Anderson Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals [23]
1982 Theismann, JoeJoe Theismann Quarterback Washington Redskins [24]
1983 Riggins, JohnJohn Riggins Running back Washington Redskins [25]
1984 Marino, DanDan Marino Quarterback Miami Dolphins [26]
1985 Payton, WalterWalter Payton Running back Chicago Bears [27]
1986 Taylor, LawrenceLawrence Taylor Linebacker New York Giants [28]
1987 Rice, JerryJerry Rice Wide receiver San Francisco 49ers [7]
1988 Cunningham, RandallRandall Cunningham Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles [29]
1989 Montana, JoeJoe Montana Quarterback San Francisco 49ers [30]
1990 Cunningham, RandallRandall Cunningham (2) Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles [31]
1991 Sanders, BarryBarry Sanders Running back Detroit Lions [32]
1992 Young, SteveSteve Young Quarterback San Francisco 49ers [33]
1993 Smith, EmmittEmmitt Smith Running back Dallas Cowboys [34]
1994 Young, SteveSteve Young (2) Quarterback San Francisco 49ers [34]
1995 Favre, BrettBrett Favre Quarterback Green Bay Packers [34]
1996 Favre, BrettBrett Favre (2) Quarterback Green Bay Packers [34]
1997 Sanders, BarryBarry Sanders (2) Running back Detroit Lions [34]
1998 Cunningham, RandallRandall Cunningham (3) Quarterback Minnesota Vikings [34]
1999 Warner, KurtKurt Warner Quarterback St. Louis Rams [34]
2000 Gannon, RichRich Gannon Quarterback Oakland Raiders [34]
2001 Faulk, MarshallMarshall Faulk Running back St. Louis Rams [34]
2002 Gannon, RichRich Gannon (2) Quarterback Oakland Raiders [34]
2003 Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning Quarterback Indianapolis Colts [34]
2004 Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning (2) Quarterback Indianapolis Colts [34]
2005 Alexander, ShaunShaun Alexander Running back Seattle Seahawks [34]
2006 Tomlinson, LaDainianLaDainian Tomlinson Running back San Diego Chargers [34]
2007 Brady, TomTom Brady Quarterback New England Patriots [34]
2008 Peterson, AdrianAdrian Peterson Running back Minnesota Vikings [34]
2009 Brees, DrewDrew Brees Quarterback New Orleans Saints [34]
2010 Vick, MichaelMichael Vick Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles [34]
2011 Rodgers, AaronAaron Rodgers Quarterback Green Bay Packers [34]
2012 Peterson, AdrianAdrian Peterson (2) Running back Minnesota Vikings [34]
2013 Manning, PeytonPeyton Manning (3) Quarterback Denver Broncos [34]
2014 Watt, J. J.J. J. Watt Defensive end Houston Texans [34]
2015 Newton, CamCam Newton Quarterback Carolina Panthers [35]
2016 Ryan, MattMatt Ryan Quarterback Atlanta Falcons [36]
2017 Wentz, CarsonCarson Wentz Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles [37]
2018 Mahomes, PatrickPatrick Mahomes Quarterback Kansas City Chiefs [37]
2019 Jackson, LamarLamar Jackson Quarterback Baltimore Ravens [37]
2020
2021 Taylor, JonathanJonathan Taylor Running back Indianapolis Colts [38]
2022 Hurts, JalenJalen Hurts Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles [39]

Related pages

References

General
  • "Bert Bell Award Winners". Maxwell Football Club. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  • "Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
Footnotes
  1. "Unitas Wins Bell Award". The Pittsburgh Press: 34. December 18, 1959. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19591217&id=RF4bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bk4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2895,846263&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  2. "Van Brocklin To Receive Bert Bell Award". Park City Daily News: 18. December 21, 1960. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1697&dat=19601222&id=NdMdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DEcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2235,4138686&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  3. "Hornung, Ferguson Honored as 'Best'". The Milwaukee Sentinel. February 6, 1962. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19620206&id=HG5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uBAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7130,2491937&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. [dead link]
  4. "Robustelli Says Award Recognition For Linemen". St. Petersburg Times: 4-C. February 5, 1963. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19630205&id=6aBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PFIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7130,2544218&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  5. "Jim Brown to Get Bell Award". The New York Times. January 8, 1964. https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/08/jim-brown-to-get-bell-award.html?_r=0. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  6. "Unitas, Ressler To Receive Awards". Daytona Beach Morning Journal: 17. December 4, 1964. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19641204&id=A5MeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mMwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3442,713555&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Bell award goes to Rice". Lakeland Ledger: 5D. January 15, 1988. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19880115&id=u5QsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8vsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3195,6600956&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  8. "Maxwell Club Cites Lynch, Meredith". Eugene Register-Guard: 2B. January 24, 1967. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19670124&id=G6pVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5898,5169197&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  9. "Beban, Unitas Win Awards". The Morning Record: 9. December 20, 1967. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512&dat=19671220&id=AvlHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BAANAAAAIBAJ&pg=3655,7159812&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  10. "Simpson, Kelly Win Maxwell Awards". The Pittsburgh Press: 74. December 18, 1968. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19681218&id=B8wbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EFAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7516,967396&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  11. "Reid, Gabriel Are Top Rated". Lodi News-Sentinel: 8. January 20, 1970. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19700120&id=khgzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xDIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=3072,1654141&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  12. "New Award For Blanda". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: 21. December 18, 1970. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19701218&id=idlaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0WwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2477,3129409&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  13. "Staubach Wins Bert Bell Award". Ludington Daily News: 6. December 23, 1971. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19711223&id=mftOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CkwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1119,5745419&hl=en. Retrieved July 11, 2016. 
  14. Bernstein, Ralph (December 15, 1972). "Redskins' Larry Brown Is Presented Bert Bell Award As Top Gridder Of Year". Gettysburg Times: 15. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19721215&id=05hcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OFgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2578,3850609&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  15. "O.J. Is Two-Timer: Cappolletti, Simpson Maxwell Winners". Observer-Reporter: B4. December 21, 1973. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19731221&id=dOJdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AV8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5652,3910660&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  16. "Joachim, Olsen Get Top Awards". Schenectady Gazette: 28. December 13, 1974. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19741213&id=NkVGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BOkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3499,3824115&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  17. "Two Small Players Who Became Big Stars Receive Annual Maxwell Club Award". Gettysburg Times: 13. December 19, 1975. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19751219&id=aYYlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wfIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1456,936245&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  18. "Dorsett, Stabler Receive Maxwell, Bert Bell Awards". Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 2-D. January 20, 1977. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19770120&id=8040AAAAIBAJ&sjid=QmcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2547,2146897&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  19. "Griese Named Pro Football's Player Of Year". Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 1E. December 16, 1977. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19771216&id=msYyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f2cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6587,351922&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  20. "Fusina, Bradshaw Maxwell Picks". Reading Eagles: 37. December 21, 1978. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19781221&id=dfchAAAAIBAJ&sjid=26AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1904,429731&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  21. "Campbell, White capture awards". Gadsden Times: 23. December 20, 1979. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19791220&id=O6QfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H9YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3407,3888562&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  22. "Jaworski Wins Bert Bell Award". The Victoria Advocate: 3B. January 8, 1981. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19810108&id=t1AdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_FcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3072,1606972&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  23. "Ken Anderson Named Winner Of Maxwell's Bert Bell Award". Reading Eagle: 39. January 20, 1982. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19820119&id=WPwxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=seQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5636,5374287&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  24. "Theismann better doing less". The Spokesman-Review: 18. January 22, 1983. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19830121&id=rPhLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o-4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6901,2945982&hl=en. Retrieved July 12, 2016. 
  25. Lyon, Bill (February 23, 1984). "Riggins: I'm not as good as I was". The Day: 28. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19840223&id=hDJSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HTYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1511,4290725&hl=en. Retrieved July 13, 2016. 
  26. "Marino winner of Bert Bell Award". The Evening News: 3B. January 11, 1985. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19850111&id=goNGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xDENAAAAIBAJ&pg=5472,914840&hl=en. Retrieved July 13, 2016. 
  27. "Payton wins Maxwell Club Bell award". Lodi News-Sentinel. January 17, 1986. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19860117&id=pMAzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gDIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=4870,1912451&hl=en. Retrieved July 13, 2016. 
  28. "Taylor named Bell Award winner". Herald-Journal: D4. January 16, 1987. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19870116&id=mm8sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Os4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5407,155014&hl=en. Retrieved July 13, 2016. 
  29. "Eagles' QB Cunningham Gets Bell Award". Los Angeles Times. January 10, 1989. http://articles.latimes.com/1989-01-10/sports/sp-363_1_bert-bell-award. Retrieved February 16, 2017. 
  30. "Joe Montana Wins Bert Bell Award Handily". Los Angeles Times. January 17, 1990. http://articles.latimes.com/1990-01-17/sports/sp-383_1_bert-bell. Retrieved January 26, 2017. 
  31. "Cunningham wins Maxwell's Award". The Prescott Courier: 9A. January 23, 1991. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=886&dat=19910123&id=HhNNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4YEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6823,3988976&hl=en. Retrieved September 24, 2016. 
  32. Rule, Bruce (January 10, 1992). "Sanders, Fontes cop NFL honors". Standard-Speaker: 22. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8974059/sanders_fontes_cop_nfl_honors/. Retrieved February 16, 2017. 
  33. "Sports People: Football; Young Wins Award As N.F.L.'s Top Player". The New York Times. January 15, 1993. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/15/sports/sports-people-football-young-wins-award-as-nfl-s-top-player.html. Retrieved February 16, 2017. 
  34. 34.00 34.01 34.02 34.03 34.04 34.05 34.06 34.07 34.08 34.09 34.10 34.11 34.12 34.13 34.14 34.15 34.16 34.17 34.18 34.19 34.20 34.21 "Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  35. Inabinett, Mark (January 24, 2016). "NFL Playoffs: Cam Newton won't put the cart before the horse". The Birmingham News. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  36. Broome, Anthony (January 20, 2017). "Matt Ryan wins Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award". CBS Sports. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/matt-ryan-wins-bert-bell-professional-player-of-the-year-award/. Retrieved January 16, 2017. 
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 "Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) Winners | Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  38. "Colts' Running Back Jonathan Taylor Named Winner for 2021 Bert Bell Award". 4 February 2022.
  39. "Jalen Hurts named Maxwell Club's Bert Bell Player of the Year". 11 June 2023.