101 Awards’ 51st Annual Salute to Professional Football to be held virtually on March 6
The Committee of 101 today announced the award winners for the 2020 NFL season as the 101 Awards prepares to host a virtual presentation of the 51st Annual Salute to Professional Football. Three first‐time recipients will be recognized as the NFL’s top performers and will be presented during a virtual gala streamed on www.101awards.com and other platforms on Saturday, March 6, 2021.
The top players of the 2020 regular season, as selected by a committee comprised of 101 members of the national media, include: Titans running back Derrick Henry as AFC Offensive Player of the Year; Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as NFC Offensive Player of the Year; Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt as AFC Defensive Player of the Year; Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald as NFC Defensive Player of the Year; Browns coach Kevin Stefanski as AFC Coach of the Year; and Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera as NFC Coach of the Year.
In addition to the player and coach awards, the 101 Awards event will conclude by presenting the prestigious Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football, which was created in 2008 to honor the life and legacy of the Chiefs founder. This award recognizes an individual or group that significantly contributed to the NFL and its status as the preeminent pro sports league in America. The 14th annual recipient will be announced at a later date prior to the 101 Awards.
Each full season since the 1969 campaign, the 101 Awards have honored the top players and coaches of the year, making it the nation’s longest‐running awards event dedicated exclusively to the National Football League. In its 51‐year history, the 101 has recognized many of the greatest players and coaches ever to take the field, and this year’s class adds to the impressive list of award winners. The virtual 101 Awards event will also recognize two Chiefs award winners— the Mack Lee Hill Award for top rookie or first‐year player and the Derrick Thomas Award for the team’s Most Valuable Player.
For the sixth straight year, the beneficiary of the 101 Awards will be The University of Kansas Health System, a not‐for‐profit organization that receives no state or local funding, relying instead on philanthropy and sound fiscal management.
