National Football League Most Valuable Player award - wikipedia National Football League Most Valuable Player award Peyton Manning was named AP NFL MVP five times, more than any other player in history. The National Football League Most Valuable Player Award ( NFL MVP ) is an award given by various entities to the American football player who is considered the most valuable in the National Football League ( NFL ). Organizations which currently give an NFL MVP award or have in the past include the Associated Press ( AP ), the Newspaper Enterprise Association ( NEA ), Pro Football Writers of America ( PFWA ), and United Press International ( UPI ). The first award described as a most valuable player award was the Joe F. Carr Trophy, awarded by the NFL from 1938 to 1946. Today, the AP award is considered the de facto official NFL MVP award. Since the 2011 season, the NFL has held the annual NFL Honors ceremony to recognize the winner of the Associated Press MVP award. Contents 1 Associated Press NFL MVP award 2 Pro Football Writers Association NFL MVP award 3 Sporting News NFL Player of the Year award 4 Defunct awards 4.1 Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL MVP award 4.2 Joe F. Carr Trophy 4.3 United Press International NFL MVP / POY award 5 See also 6 References Associated Press NFL MVP award Main article : Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award The AP has presented an MVP award since 1957. The award is voted upon by a panel of 50 sportswriters at the end of the regular season, before the playoffs, though the results are not announced to the public until the day before the Super Bowl. Season Player Team Position 1957 Brown, Jim Jim Brown Cleveland Browns Running back 1958 Brown, Jim Jim Brown ( 2 ) Cleveland Browns Running back 1959 Unitas, Johnny Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1960 Van Brocklin, Norm Norm Van Brocklin Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1961 Hornung, Paul Paul Hornung Green Bay Packers Running back 1962 Taylor, Jim Jim Taylor Green Bay Packers Running back 1963 Tittle, Y.A. Y.A. Tittle New York Giants Quarterback 1964 Unitas, Johnny Johnny Unitas ( 2 ) Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1965 Brown, Jim Jim Brown ( 3 ) Cleveland Browns Running back 1966 Starr, Bart Bart Starr Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1967 Unitas, Johnny Johnny Unitas ( 3 ) Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1968 Morrall, Earl Earl Morrall Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1969 Gabriel, Roman Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams Quarterback 1970 Brodie, John John Brodie San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1971 Page, Alan Alan Page Minnesota Vikings Defensive tackle 1972 Brown, Larry Larry Brown Washington Redskins Running back 1973 Simpson, O.J. O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Running back Stabler, Ken Ken Stabler Oakland Raiders Quarterback Tarkenton, Fran Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings Quarterback 1976 Jones, Bert Bert Jones Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1977 Payton, Walter Walter Payton Chicago Bears Running back 1978 Bradshaw, Terry Terry Bradshaw Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback 1979 Campbell, Earl Earl Campbell Houston Oilers Running back 1980 Sipe, Brian Brian Sipe Cleveland Browns Quarterback 1981 Anderson, Ken Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback 1982 Moseley, Mark Mark Moseley Washington Redskins Placekicker Theismann, Joe Joe Theismann Washington Redskins Quarterback 1984 Marino, Dan Dan Marino Miami Dolphins Quarterback 1985 Allen, Marcus Marcus Allen Los Angeles Raiders Running back 1986 Taylor, Lawrence Lawrence Taylor New York Giants Linebacker Elway, John John Elway Denver Broncos Quarterback 1988 Esiason, Boomer Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback 1989 Montana, Joe Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1990 Montana, Joe Joe Montana ( 2 ) San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1991 Thomas, Thurman Thurman Thomas Buffalo Bills Running back 1992 Young, Steve Steve Young San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1993 Smith, Emmitt Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys Running back 1994 Young, Steve Steve Young ( 2 ) San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1995 Favre, Brett Brett Favre Green Bay Packers Quarterback Favre, Brett Brett Favre ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1997 Favre, Brett Brett Favre ( 3 ) Sanders, Barry Barry Sanders Green Bay Packers Detroit Lions Quarterback Running back 1998 Davis, Terrell Terrell Davis Denver Broncos Running back 1999 Warner, Kurt Kurt Warner St. Louis Rams Quarterback 2000 Faulk, Marshall Marshall Faulk St. Louis Rams Running back 2001 Warner, Kurt Kurt Warner ( 2 ) St. Louis Rams Quarterback 2002 Gannon, Rich Rich Gannon Oakland Raiders Quarterback 2003 Manning, Peyton Peyton Manning McNair, Steve Steve McNair Indianapolis Colts Tennessee Titans Quarterback Quarterback Manning, Peyton Peyton Manning ( 2 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback 2005 Alexander, Shaun Shaun Alexander Seattle Seahawks Running back 2006 Tomlinson, LaDainian LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers Running back 2007 Brady, Tom Tom Brady New England Patriots Quarterback 2008 Manning, Peyton Peyton Manning ( 3 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback 2009 Manning, Peyton Peyton Manning ( 4 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Brady, Tom Tom Brady ( 2 ) New England Patriots Quarterback 2011 Rodgers, Aaron Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2012 Peterson, Adrian Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings Running back 2013 Manning, Peyton Peyton Manning ( 5 ) Denver Broncos Quarterback 2014 Rodgers, Aaron Aaron Rodgers ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2015 Newton, Cam Cam Newton Carolina Panthers Quarterback 2016 Ryan, Matt Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons Quarterback 2017 Brady, Tom Tom Brady ( 3 ) New England Patriots Quarterback Pro Football Writers Association NFL MVP award Pro Football Writers of America began naming their most valuable player in 1975 and continue to do so as of the 2016 season. Season Player Team Position Ref Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings Quarterback 1976 Bert Jones Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1977 Walter Payton Chicago Bears Running back 1978 Earl Campbell Houston Oilers Running back 1979 Earl Campbell ( 2 ) Houston Oilers Running back 1980 Brian Sipe Cleveland Browns Quarterback 1981 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback 1982 Dan Fouts San Diego Chargers Quarterback Joe Theismann Washington Redskins Quarterback 1984 Dan Marino Miami Dolphins Quarterback 1985 Marcus Allen Los Angeles Raiders Running back 1986 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants Linebacker Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers Wide receiver 1988 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback 1989 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1990 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1991 Thurman Thomas Buffalo Bills Running back 1992 Steve Young San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1993 Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys Running back 1994 Steve Young ( 2 ) San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1995 Brett Favre Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1997 Barry Sanders Detroit Lions Running back 1998 Terrell Davis Denver Broncos Running back 1999 Kurt Warner St. Louis Rams Quarterback 2000 Marshall Faulk St. Louis Rams Running back 2001 Marshall Faulk ( 2 ) St. Louis Rams Running back 2002 Rich Gannon Oakland Raiders Quarterback 2003 Jamal Lewis Baltimore Ravens Running back Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts Quarterback 2005 Shaun Alexander Seattle Seahawks Running back 2006 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers Running back 2007 Tom Brady New England Patriots Quarterback 2008 Peyton Manning ( 2 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback 2009 Peyton Manning ( 3 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Tom Brady ( 2 ) New England Patriots Quarterback 2011 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2012 Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings Running back 2013 Peyton Manning ( 4 ) Denver Broncos Quarterback 2014 Aaron Rodgers ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2015 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers Quarterback 2016 Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons Quarterback 2017 Tom Brady ( 3 ) New England Patriots Quarterback Sporting News NFL Player of the year award Main article : Sporting News NFL Player of the Year Award Sporting News began awarding a National Football League ( NFL ) player of the year award in 1954. From 1970 to 1979, Sporting News chose American Football Conference ( AFC ) and National Football Conference ( NFC ) players of the year, and returned to a single winner in 1980. Beginning in 2012 Sporting News chose an offensive player of the year and a defensive player of the year. Season Player Team Position 1954 Lou Groza Cleveland Browns Tackle - K 1955 Otto Graham Cleveland Browns Quarterback 1956 Frank Gifford New York Giants Running back 1957 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns Fullback 1958 Jim Brown ( 2 ) Cleveland Browns Fullback 1959 Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1960 Norm Van Brocklin Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1961 Paul Hornung Green Bay Packers Running back 1962 Y.A. Tittle New York Giants Quarterback 1963 Y.A. Tittle ( 2 ) New York Giants Quarterback 1964 Johnny Unitas ( 2 ) Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1965 Jim Brown ( 3 ) Cleveland Browns Running back 1966 Bart Starr Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1967 Johnny Unitas ( 3 ) Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1968 Earl Morrall Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1969 Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams Quarterback 1970 NFC - John Brodie AFC - George Blanda San Francisco 49ers Oakland Raiders Quarterback QB - K 1971 NFC - Roger Staubach AFC - Bob Griese Dallas Cowboys Miami Dolphins Quarterback Quarterback 1972 NFC - Larry Brown AFC - Earl Morrall ( 2 ) Washington Redskins Miami Dolphins Running back Quarterback 1973 NFC - John Hadl AFC - O.J. Simpson Los Angeles Rams Buffalo Bills Quarterback Running back NFC - Chuck Foreman AFC - Ken Stabler Minnesota Vikings Oakland Raiders Running back Quarterback NFC - Fran Tarkenton AFC - O.J. Simpson ( 2 ) Minnesota Vikings Buffalo Bills Quarterback Running Back 1976 NFC - Walter Payton AFC - Ken Stabler ( 2 ) Chicago Bears Oakland Raiders Running back Quarterback 1977 NFC - Walter Payton ( 2 ) AFC - Craig Morton Chicago Bears Denver Broncos Running back Quarterback 1978 NFC - Archie Manning AFC - Earl Campbell New Orleans Saints Houston Oilers Quarterback Running back 1979 NFC - Ottis Anderson AFC - Dan Fouts St. Louis Cardinals San Diego Chargers Running back Quarterback 1980 Brian Sipe Cleveland Browns Quarterback 1981 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback 1982 Mark Moseley Washington Redskins Kicker Eric Dickerson Los Angeles Rams Running back 1984 Dan Marino Miami Dolphins Quarterback 1985 Marcus Allen Los Angeles Raiders Running back 1986 Lawrence Taylor New York Giants Linebacker Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver 1988 Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback 1989 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1990 Jerry Rice ( 2 ) San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver 1991 Thurman Thomas Buffalo Bills Running back 1992 Steve Young San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1993 Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys Running back 1994 Steve Young ( 2 ) San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1995 Brett Favre Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1997 Barry Sanders Detroit Lions Running back 1998 Terrell Davis Denver Broncos Running back 1999 Kurt Warner St. Louis Rams Quarterback 2000 Marshall Faulk St. Louis Rams Running back 2001 Marshall Faulk ( 2 ) St. Louis Rams Running back 2002 Rich Gannon Oakland Raiders Quarterback 2003 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning ( 2 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback 2005 Shaun Alexander Seattle Seahawks Running back 2006 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers Running back 2007 Tom Brady New England Patriots Quarterback 2008 Peyton Manning ( 3 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback 2009 Peyton Manning ( 4 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Tom Brady ( 2 ) New England Patriots Quarterback 2011 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2012 Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings Running back 2013 Peyton Manning ( 5 ) Denver Broncos Quarterback 2014 Aaron Rodgers ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 2015 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers Quarterback 2016 Tom Brady ( 3 ) New England Patriots Quarterback 2017 Tom Brady ( 4 ) New England Patriots Quarterback Defunct awards Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL MVP award `` Jim Thorpe Trophy '' redirects here. For the college defensive back award, see Jim Thorpe Award. See also : United Media § NFL awards The Newspaper Enterprise Association presented its MVP award from 1955 to 2008. The winner was chosen by a poll of NFL players and received the Jim Thorpe Trophy, which by 1975 was described as `` one of the pros ' most coveted honors. '' Beginning in 1997, the trophy was presented by the Jim Thorpe Association, with the winner determined by a `` vote of NFLPA representatives ''. Season Player Team Position Ref 1955 Harlon Hill Chicago Bears End 1956 Frank Gifford New York Giants Running back 1957 Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1958 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns Fullback 1959 Charlie Conerly New York Giants Quarterback 1960 Norm Van Brocklin Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1961 Y.A. Tittle New York Giants Quarterback 1962 Jim Taylor Green Bay Packers Running back 1963 Y.A. Tittle ( 2 ) Jim Brown ( 2 ) New York Giants Cleveland Browns Quarterback Running back 1964 Lenny Moore Baltimore Colts Halfback 1965 Jim Brown ( 3 ) Cleveland Browns Running back 1966 Bart Starr Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1967 Johnny Unitas ( 2 ) Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1968 Earl Morrall Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1969 Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams Quarterback 1970 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1971 Bob Griese Miami Dolphins Quarterback 1972 Larry Brown Washington Redskins Running back 1973 O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Running back Ken Stabler Oakland Raiders Quarterback Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings Quarterback 1976 Bert Jones Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1977 Walter Payton Chicago Bears Running back 1978 Earl Campbell Houston Oilers Running back 1979 Earl Campbell ( 2 ) Houston Oilers Running back 1980 Earl Campbell ( 3 ) Houston Oilers Running back 1981 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback 1982 Dan Fouts San Diego Chargers Quarterback Joe Theismann Washington Redskins Quarterback 1984 Dan Marino Miami Dolphins Quarterback 1985 Walter Payton ( 2 ) Chicago Bears Running back 1986 Phil Simms New York Giants Quarterback Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers Wide receiver 1988 Roger Craig San Francisco 49ers Running back 1989 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1990 Warren Moon Houston Oilers Quarterback 1991 Thurman Thomas Buffalo Bills Running back 1992 Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys Running back 1993 Emmitt Smith ( 2 ) Dallas Cowboys Running back 1994 Steve Young San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1995 Brett Favre Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1997 Barry Sanders Detroit Lions Running back 1998 Randall Cunningham Minnesota Vikings Quarterback 1999 Kurt Warner St. Louis Rams Quarterback 2000 Marshall Faulk St. Louis Rams Running back 2001 Kurt Warner ( 2 ) St. Louis Rams Quarterback 2002 Rich Gannon Oakland Raiders Quarterback 2003 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning ( 2 ) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback 2005 Shaun Alexander Seattle Seahawks Running back 2006 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers Running back 2007 Tom Brady New England Patriots Quarterback 2008 Kurt Warner ( 3 ) Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Joe F. Carr Trophy Main article : Joe F. Carr Trophy The Joe F. Carr Trophy was the first award in the NFL to recognize a most valuable player. It was named in honor of NFL commissioner Joseph Carr and remains the only MVP award the NFL has officially sanctioned. Season Player Team Position 1938 Mel Hein New York Giants Center, linebacker 1939 Parker Hall Cleveland Rams Quarterback, halfback 1940 Ace Parker Brooklyn Dodgers Quarterback, halfback 1941 Don Hutson Green Bay Packers End 1942 Don Hutson ( 2 ) Green Bay Packers End 1943 Sid Luckman Chicago Bears Quarterback 1944 Frank Sinkwich Detroit Lions Halfback 1945 Bob Waterfield Cleveland Rams Quarterback 1946 Bill Dudley Pittsburgh Steelers Halfback United Press International NFL MVP / poy award United Press International gave an NFL MVP / player of the year award from 1948 through 1969, excepting 1949 -- 50, and 1952. In 1970 UPI instituted separate awards for the NFC and AFC. In 1975 UPI added a Defensive Player of the Year Award for both the NFC and AFC. Season Player Team Position Ref 1948 Pat Harder Chicago Cardinals Fullback 1949 No Award 1950 No Award 1951 Otto Graham Cleveland Browns Quarterback 1952 No Award 1953 Otto Graham ( 2 ) Cleveland Browns Quarterback 1954 Joe Perry San Francisco 49ers Fullback 1955 Otto Graham ( 3 ) Cleveland Browns Quarterback 1956 Frank Gifford New York Giants Halfback 1957 Y.A. Tittle San Francisco 49ers Quarterback 1958 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns Fullback 1959 Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1960 Norm Van Brocklin Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1961 Paul Hornung Green Bay Packers Halfback 1962 Y.A. Tittle ( 2 ) New York Giants Quarterback 1963 Jim Brown ( 2 ) Cleveland Browns Fullback 1964 Johnny Unitas ( 2 ) Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1965 Jim Brown ( 3 ) Cleveland Browns Fullback 1966 Bart Starr Green Bay Packers Quarterback 1967 Johnny Unitas ( 3 ) Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1968 Earl Morrall Baltimore Colts Quarterback 1969 Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams Quarterback See also American Football League Most Valuable Player Award Bert Bell Award Football Digest § NFL Player of the Year Sporting News NFL Player of the Year Award UPI AFL - AFC Player of the Year UPI NFC Player of the Year Washington D.C. Touchdown Club § NFL Player of the Year awards References General `` Joe F. Carr Trophy ( MVP ) Winners ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 15, 2016. `` UPI NFL Most Valuable Player Winners ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016. `` Newspaper Ent. Assoc. NFL Most Valuable Player Winners ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016. `` AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016. `` PFWA NFL Most Valuable Player Winners ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016. Footnotes ^ Jump up to : Bieler, Des ( January 20, 2016 ). `` Pro Football Writers name Cam Newton their NFL MVP ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2016. Jump up ^ `` First - ever ' NFL Honors ' show will be hosted by Baldwin in Indy ''. NFL.com. National Football League. January 3, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2016. Jump up ^ Kreinberg, Jake ( February 3, 2016 ). `` How we count the votes for the NFL 's top awards ''. insights.ap.org. Associated Press. Retrieved August 2, 2016. Jump up ^ `` AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016. Jump up ^ `` PFWA NFL Most Valuable Player Winners ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016. Jump up ^ `` 49er Rice Named ' Most Valuable ' ''. Tyrone Daily Herald. United Press International. January 21, 1988. p. 4. Retrieved June 14, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ `` Esiason named MVP by Writers Association ''. The Evening News. Associated Press. January 11, 1989. p. 2B. Retrieved September 24, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Writers Choose 49ers Young As Mvp ''. Sun - Sentinel. January 25, 1995. Retrieved February 16, 2017. Jump up ^ Adams, Justin ( January 15, 2014 ). Denver Broncos Peyton Manning named Pro Football Writers of America 's MVP, Offensive Player of Year. TheDenverChannel.com. Archived February 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Mike Spofford ( 2015 - 01 - 14 ). `` Green Bay Packers -- Official Blog Aaron Rodgers wins first league MVP award of 2014 ''. Blog.packers.com. Retrieved January 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Cunningham, Michael ( January 18, 2017 ). `` Pro Football Writers vote Falcons ' Matt Ryan MVP ''. The Atlanta Journal - Constitution. Retrieved January 18, 2017. Jump up ^ http://www.profootballwriters.org/2018/01/17/new-englands-brady-pfwa-nfl-mvp-rams-gurley-offensive-player-year-jacksonvilles-campbell-defensive-player-year/ Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Archived July 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Barry Wilner ( 2013 - 04 - 04 ). `` Adrian Peterson Wins 2012 Offensive Player Of The Year Award ''. Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2016 - 01 - 27. Jump up ^ `` Allen honored ''. The Galveston Daily News. Associated Press. January 23, 1986. p. 20. Retrieved May 24, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ `` Newspaper Ent. Assoc. NFL Most Valuable Player Winners ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Olderman, Murray ( December 16, 1960 ). `` Van Brocklin Gets Jim Thorpe Trophy ''. The Telegraph. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 12. Retrieved June 21, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Harlon Hill Elected for Hall of Fame ''. Times Daily. October 26, 1975. p. 23. Retrieved June 21, 2016. Jump up ^ Jim Thorpe Association Yearbook, 2007. Jump up ^ Grainger, Charles ( February 20, 1957 ). `` Harlon Hill Due For Six Months ' Army Service ''. The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved June 24, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Giants ' Frank Gifford Named Top Star in NFL by Players ''. The Pittsburgh Press. December 20, 1956. p. 24. Retrieved June 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 20, 1957 ). `` John Unitas Wins Jim Thorpe Trophy ''. Miami Daily News - Record. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 5. Retrieved February 16, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 16, 1958 ). `` Cleveland 's Jimmy Brown Grabs Jim Thorpe Trophy ''. TimesDaily. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 7. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 20, 1959 ). `` Giant Ace Wins Thorpe Title ''. Gadsden Times. Newspaper Enterprise Association. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 27, 1961 ). `` Players Name Tittle Thorpe Trophy Winner ''. The Telegraph. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 12. Retrieved June 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 18, 1962 ). `` Thorpe Trophy Won By Packer Fullback ''. The Evening Sun. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 10. Retrieved February 15, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ `` Tittle and Brown Win Thorpe Trophy ''. The Fort Scott Tribune. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 23, 1963. p. 11. Retrieved June 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 18, 1964 ). `` Thorpe Trophy Caps Len Moore 's Comeback ''. The Pittsburgh Press. p. 36. Retrieved June 27, 2016. Jump up ^ `` 11th Annual Thorpe Trophy Goes To Cleveland 's Brown ''. The Bristol Daily Courier. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 28, 1965. p. 21. Retrieved February 16, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 22, 1966 ). `` Bart Starr Is Selected Jim Thorpe Award Winner ''. Standard - Speaker. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 25. Retrieved February 16, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 29, 1967 ). `` Unitas Claims Jim Thorpe Cup ''. The Daily Mail. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 26, 1968 ). `` Earl Morrall Wins Jim Thorpe Trophy ''. The Daily Herald. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 12. Retrieved February 16, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 25, 1969 ). `` Roman Gabriel Wins Jim Thorpe Award ''. The Gastonia Gazette. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 37. Retrieved February 16, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( December 29, 1970 ). `` John Brodie Wins The 1970 Jim Thorpe Award ''. Pampa Daily News. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ `` Bob Griese Gets Thorpe Trophy As Top Player ''. Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. January 5, 1972. p. 4. Retrieved June 21, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Jim Thorpe award goes to Tarkenton ''. Gadsden Times. Newspaper Enterprise Association. January 21, 1976. p. 30. Retrieved June 24, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Campbell wins Thorpe ''. Park City Daily News. December 26, 1979. p. 4 - B. Retrieved June 30, 2016. Jump up ^ Olderman, Murray ( January 18, 1981 ). `` Earl Campbell : a triple champ ''. The Nevada Daily Mail. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 10. Retrieved June 30, 2016. Jump up ^ Turney, John ( February 21, 2015 ). `` Dutch Clark 's Missing 1937 MVP Award ''. nflfootballjournal.com. Pro Football Journal. Retrieved June 21, 2016. Jump up ^ Total Football II : The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. Bob Carroll. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780062701749 pg. 389. Jump up ^ `` Connerly Named Prize Rookie ; Harder Honored ''. The Tuscaloosa News. United Press. December 15, 1948. p. 13. Retrieved June 22, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Graham Picked As Top Player In Pro League ''. Spokane Daily Chronicle. United Press. December 23, 1953. p. 11. Retrieved October 6, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Perry Top Pro Gridman of ' 54 ''. The Bend Bulletin. United Press. December 22, 1954. p. 3. Retrieved October 8, 2016 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ `` Tittle, Francis Feted at Million Dollar Dinner ''. The Bulletin. United Press. January 29, 1958. p. 3. Retrieved August 15, 2016. Jump up ^ Wright, Earl ( January 8, 1959 ). `` Brown Named Standout Pro Gridder of Season ''. The Ogden Standard - Examiner. United Press International. p. 14. Retrieved February 26, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ `` Buck Shaw Is Coach Of Year ; Van Brocklin Also Honored ''. Daily Independent Journal. United Press International. December 23, 1960. p. 7. Retrieved March 11, 2017 -- via Newspapers.com. National Football League awards and trophies Team Vince Lombardi Trophy Lamar Hunt Trophy ( AFC ) George Halas Trophy ( NFC ) Individual Most Valuable Player Coach of the Year Offensive Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year Rookie of the Year Comeback Player of the Year Walter Payton Man of the Year `` Whizzer '' White Man of the Year Bert Bell Award Art Rooney Award Super Bowl MVP One - time only 75th Anniversary All - Time Team ( 1994 ) All - Decade Teams Annual presentation NFL Honors NFL Top 100 Awards organizations Kansas City Committee of 101 Maxwell Football Club National Football League Alumni Touchdown Club of Columbus Washington D.C. Touchdown Club Defunct Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy Brunswick - Balke Collender Cup NEA Defensive Player of the Year PFWA Defensive Player of the Year NEA Rookie of the Year UPI AFL - AFC Player of the Year UPI NFC Player of the Year UPI AFL - AFC Rookie of the Year UPI NFL - NFC Rookie of the Year Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Football_League_Most_Valuable_Player_Award&oldid=833377946 '' Categories : National Football League trophies and awards Most valuable player awards Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Deutsch Español Français Italiano עברית Magyar 日本 語 Simple English 中文 3 more Edit links This page was last edited on 31 March 2018, at 05 : 27. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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Question: who votes for nfl player of the year
Answer: Sporting News