Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Conroy/AP/Shutterstock (13431427a) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, in Indianapolis Chiefs Football, Indianapolis, United States – 25 Sep 2022
John McClain: Mahomes wins second MVP Award, headlining NFL season-ending award winners
Three days before Kansas City plays Philadelphia in Super Bowl LVII, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award, voted on by a panel of experts for The Associated Press and disclosed Thursday night on the NFL Honors Show.
Mahomes, 27, was a heavy favorite to win the award after guiding the Chiefs to the best record in the AFC and leading the NFL with 5,250 yards passing and 41 touchdowns. Peyton Manning has an NFL-record five MVP awards.
Mahomes won his first MVP Award in 2018. He led the Chiefs to a victory in Super Bowl LIV and was voted Super Bowl MVP for the first time.
Texans rookie running back Dameon Pierce won the Angry Run of the Year Award presented by Kyle Brant from the NFL Network. Pierce won for his 20-yard run against Jacksonville on which he broke eight tackles.
The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award went to San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa. Minnesota receiver Justin Jefferson was voted Offensive Player of the Year. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott won the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
The Giants’ Brian Daboll was voted Coach of the Year. In his first season as the Giants’ coach, they reached the playoffs. Two Jets’ rookies were honored – receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner – as Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Comeback Player of the Year was Seattle quarterback Geno Smith.
The NFL created a new Jim Brown Award named after the Hall of Fame running back who played for Cleveland. Each year, it’ll be presented to the league’s leading rusher. Las Vegas running back Josh Jacobs is the first recipient.
The AP’s annual NFL awards are for the regular season only and not the playoffs.
(John McClain writes four columns a week for GallerySports.com. He can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He does three weekly Houtopia podcasts for 610. He also can be read three times a week on SportsRadio610.com).
