National Football League Alumni
The NFL Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is composed of former National Football League (NFL) players, coaches, team staff members and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in hands-on service to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth". It was founded in 1967. The NFL Alumni headquarters is in Mount Laurel, New Jersey with an additional 35 chapters across the country. The NFL Alumni is a dues-paying membership association. Anyone who ever played professional football qualifies to join as  a Player member while team personnel are Professional Members. Individuals who did not play in the NFL may enroll in a limited category as Associate Members. The cornerstone of the NFL Alumni's fundraising efforts is its Charity Golf Classic Tour which began in 1979. Among its programs for former players is the Dire Need Trust that provides financial assistance for former NFL players in need. Another program is the Pro Legends Speakers Bureau, which books former NFL players for personal appearances around the country. Since 1982 the NFL Alumni has held the Player of the Year Awards Dinner honoring  the top 10 players and coach from the previous NFL season. The players are honored by a voting process in which former players cast ballots for their modern counterparts. Former pros vote only for the positions they once played themselves. 2010 Player of the Year winners. Offense Defense Special teams Overall Coach 2009 Player of the Year winners. Offense Defense Special teams Coach 2008 Player of the Year Awards. Offense Defense Special teams Coach 2007 Player of the Year winners. Offense Defense Special teams Coach 2006 Player of the Year winners. Offense Defense Special teams Coach In addition to the  Player of the Year Awards, the NFL Alumni also honors past or current players with its Spirit Award for youth-oriented community service, Order of the Leather Helmet Award for individuals who "have made significant contributions to the game of professional football" and the Career Achievement Award given to those "whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization." The winner of the 2010 Spirit Award was Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones. NFL Alumni Order of the Leather Helmet. Awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of professional football . 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award. Awarded to individuals whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization. 1981 1982 1983 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007