2012 will see the NFL join other sports leagues in providing a nationally televised broadcast of their annual postseason honors. The night before Super Bowl XLVI, the NFL will host the inaugural "NFL Honors" live from Indianapolis on NBC. The show will air from 9pm to 11pm ET/PT and be preceded by a Red Carpet show.
The NFL will present 15 awards that evening, ranging from Most Valuable Player to Comeback Player of the Year to the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year. The 49ers look to be well-represented among the finalists for these awards. Aldon Smith is battling Von Miller and Ryan Kerrigan Defensive Rookie of the Year. Justin Smith has an outside shot at Defensive Player of the Year. Jim Harbaugh would seem to be a lock for Coach of the Year, although I suppose anything is possible.
Alex Smith might have a shot at Comeback Player of the Year, although the most common argument against it is that he didn't reach a pinnacle to fall from. You could argue he is coming back after falling from the high expectations of being the number one overall pick, but I don't expect most to buy into that.
Here is a rundown of all the words to be presented Saturday, February 4:
|
AP Most Valuable Player |
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year |
|
AP Coach of the Year presented by XFINITY, only from Comcast |
AP Comeback Player of the Year presented by Van Heusen |
|
AP Offensive Player of the Year presented by Castrol |
AP Defensive Player of the Year |
|
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year presented by Pepsi Max |
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year presented by Pepsi Max |
|
Pepsi Rookie of the Year |
GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year |
|
NFL .com Fantasy Player of the Year presented by Papa John's |
Play of the Year presented by Bridgestone |
|
Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC |
Salute To Service Award Presented by USAA |
|
Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award |