Several organizations give out NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards that are listed in the NFL Record and Fact Book and Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. The Associated Press has been giving the award since 1972; Pro Football Writers of America/Pro Football Weekly since 1970; and Sporting News has announced winners since 2008. The Newspaper Enterprise Association was the originator of the award in 1966. However, it became defunct after 1997. Also going defunct was the United Press International AFC-NFC Defensive Player of the Year Awards that began in 1975.
About NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Presented by the Associated Press, this annual award is given to the most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season.
Achievement of NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt were the first defensive players to win the award three different times. James Harrison was the only undrafted free agent to win the award, and Reggie White was the first to win the award with two different teams (Eagles and Packers).
Top Facts You Did Not Know About NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year Award (NFC and AFC) (Kansas City Committee of 101 Awards) (since 1969).. Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award (defunct).. NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award - Various entities present a National Football League Rookie of the Year Award each season to the top rookie in the National Football League. The NFL considers the of the year awards by the Associated Press to be its official honor.. UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year (defunct).. UPI NFC Player of the Year (defunct).. National Football League trophies and awards.
Latest information about NFL Defensive Player of the Year updated on July 28 2021.
