INDIANAPOLIS —
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers received a standing ovation after Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning announced Saturday the Packers’ offensive powerhouse had been selected by The Associated Press as the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player for 2011.
An even louder ovation followed his first words at the mic.
“We’re all really excited to see you back on the field next year,” Rodgers told the league’s only four-time MVP.
Rodgers’ crowning as the league’s MVP capped the inaugural “NFL Honors” awards program, taped at the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis and broadcast on NBC. The event was part of the Super Bowl XLVI celebration in the Circle City.
Rodgers was one of 15 players honored on a night that began with a Hollywood-style red carpet.
Rodgers, who accumulated 45 touchdown passes during the Packers’ 16-2 season and led the NFL in passing with a 122.5 rating, said no man wins MVP alone.
“It’s something that is honestly a goal and something you want to be recognized for your play, for being consistent, for being a guy your teammates can count on,” Rodgers said. “Obviously this is an award that takes a lot of players ... I’m very grateful for the coaching staff we have and the plan they put together and the guys I’m able to throw to and the guys that block for me and run the ball. This is something that’s very special to me.”
Rodgers earned 48 of 50 possible votes from The Associated Press’ voting panel. The other two votes went to New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.
Brees didn’t go home empty-handed. The Saints’ QB, who shattered Dan Marino’s single-season passing record with 5,476 yards this season, was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. Despite surpassing Marino in one of the NFL’s most respected statistical categories, Brees refused to say he now ranked among the NFL’s all-time greats.
“You’re never there, but I know what you’re saying,“ Brees said in the press room. “You know, it’s really not my place to determine that. I think especially as a player now, a current player, it’s very much tunnel vision. It’s thinking about the next opportunity, the next challenge. You always have something to prove, always trying to establish yourself .... and when I’m done playing, we can reflect back and talk about all the stuff.”
Brees, an 11-year veteran who earned 43 votes, said it’s field generals like Manning and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady who he looks up to and respects. But he turns on the television each Sunday to watch everyone in the league play.
“I’m very confident in saying our best is yet to come, and that’s not only for our team but for our league,” Brees said.
The Baltimore Ravens’ Terrell Suggs was Brees’ counterpart on defense.
Suggs garnered 21 votes for his 70 tackles, including 14 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions at linebacker for the Ravens.
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year, with 47 votes. He is the second straight No. 1 draft pick to take home the award. Newton set a record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (14) and became the first player to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 500.
“It feels unbelievable,” Newton said. “Throughout that whole highlight reel (during the show), it felt like I was gonna pop this button. My heart was pumping so hard. It’s unbelievable to go through a season and have so much success.”
Defensive Rookie of the Year was awarded to Von Miller, linebacker for the Denver Broncos. Miller, part of a defense that aided quarterback Tim Tebow’s miraculous comebacks all season long, earned 39 votes for a rookie campaign that included 64 tackles and 11.5 sacks.
“I just want to thank my organization, my coaches, my teammates for staying positive throughout this whole season,” Miller said.
Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback and San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was named Coach of the Year, but was not in attendance to pick up the award.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks after receiving the AP MVP award during the inaugural NFL Honors show Saturday in Indianapolis. Charlie Riedel / The Associated Press
Discussion
Rodgers takes MVP at ‘NFL Honors’
Indianapolis hosts league’s first awards show at Murat Theatre
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