Wikipedia

Bert Bell Award

The Bert Bell Award is presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the player of the year in the National Football League (NFL). The award is named in honor of Bert Bell (1895–1959), commissioner of the NFL and founder of the Maxwell Club. Voters for the Pro Awards are NFL owners, football personnel, head and assistant coaches as well as members of the Maxwell Football Club, national media, and local media.[1] The award consists of a trophy in the form of a statue in the likeness of Bell. The award is presented at the club's annual football banquet. Many sources refer to it as an NFL Most Valuable Player award.[2][3][4][5]

Bert Bell Award
Awarded forNFL player of the year
CountryUnited States
Presented byMaxwell Football Club
History
First award1959
Most winsPeyton Manning, Randall Cunningham, & Johnny Unitas (3)
Most recentDrake Maye

Winners

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Season Player Position Team Ref
1959Johnny UnitasQuarterbackBaltimore Colts[6]
1960Norm Van BrocklinQuarterbackPhiladelphia Eagles[7]
1961Paul HornungRunning backGreen Bay Packers[8]
1962Andy RobustelliDefensive endNew York Giants[9]
1963Jim BrownRunning backCleveland Browns[10]
1964Johnny Unitas (2)QuarterbackBaltimore Colts[11]
1965Pete RetzlaffTight endPhiladelphia Eagles[12]
1966Don MeredithQuarterbackDallas Cowboys[13]
1967Johnny Unitas (3)QuarterbackBaltimore Colts[14]
1968Leroy KellyRunning backCleveland Browns[15]
1969Roman GabrielQuarterbackLos Angeles Rams[16]
1970George BlandaQuarterbackOakland Raiders[17]
1971Roger StaubachQuarterbackDallas Cowboys[18]
1972Larry BrownRunning backWashington Redskins[19]
1973O. J. SimpsonRunning backBuffalo Bills[20]
1974Merlin OlsenDefensive tackleLos Angeles Rams[21]
1975Fran TarkentonQuarterbackMinnesota Vikings[22]
1976Ken StablerQuarterbackOakland Raiders[23]
1977Bob GrieseQuarterbackMiami Dolphins[24]
1978Terry BradshawQuarterbackPittsburgh Steelers[25]
1979Earl CampbellRunning backHouston Oilers[26]
1980Ron JaworskiQuarterbackPhiladelphia Eagles[27]
1981Ken AndersonQuarterbackCincinnati Bengals[28]
1982Joe TheismannQuarterbackWashington Redskins[29]
1983John RigginsRunning backWashington Redskins[30]
1984Dan MarinoQuarterbackMiami Dolphins[31]
1985Walter PaytonRunning backChicago Bears[32]
1986Lawrence TaylorLinebackerNew York Giants[33]
1987Jerry RiceWide receiverSan Francisco 49ers[12]
1988Randall CunninghamQuarterbackPhiladelphia Eagles[34]
1989Joe MontanaQuarterbackSan Francisco 49ers[1]
1990Randall Cunningham (2)QuarterbackPhiladelphia Eagles[35]
1991Barry SandersRunning backDetroit Lions[36]
1992Steve YoungQuarterbackSan Francisco 49ers[37]
1993Emmitt SmithRunning backDallas Cowboys[38]
1994Steve Young (2)QuarterbackSan Francisco 49ers[38]
1995Brett FavreQuarterbackGreen Bay Packers[38]
1996Brett Favre (2)QuarterbackGreen Bay Packers[38]
1997Barry Sanders (2)Running backDetroit Lions[38]
1998Randall Cunningham (3)QuarterbackMinnesota Vikings[38]
1999Kurt WarnerQuarterbackSt. Louis Rams[38]
2000Rich GannonQuarterbackOakland Raiders[38]
2001Marshall FaulkRunning backSt. Louis Rams[38]
2002Rich Gannon (2)QuarterbackOakland Raiders[38]
2003Peyton ManningQuarterbackIndianapolis Colts[38]
2004Peyton Manning (2)QuarterbackIndianapolis Colts[38]
2005Shaun AlexanderRunning backSeattle Seahawks[38]
2006LaDainian TomlinsonRunning backSan Diego Chargers[38]
2007Tom BradyQuarterbackNew England Patriots[38]
2008Adrian PetersonRunning backMinnesota Vikings[38]
2009Drew BreesQuarterbackNew Orleans Saints[38]
2010Michael VickQuarterbackPhiladelphia Eagles[38]
2011Aaron RodgersQuarterbackGreen Bay Packers[38]
2012Adrian Peterson (2)Running backMinnesota Vikings[38]
2013Peyton Manning (3)QuarterbackDenver Broncos[38]
2014J. J. WattDefensive endHouston Texans[38]
2015Cam NewtonQuarterbackCarolina Panthers[39]
2016Matt RyanQuarterbackAtlanta Falcons[40]
2017Carson WentzQuarterbackPhiladelphia Eagles[41]
2018Patrick MahomesQuarterbackKansas City Chiefs[41]
2019Lamar JacksonQuarterbackBaltimore Ravens[41]
2020No award given.
2021Jonathan TaylorRunning backIndianapolis Colts[42]
2022Jalen HurtsQuarterbackPhiladelphia Eagles[41]
2023Lamar Jackson (2)QuarterbackBaltimore Ravens[41]
2024Saquon BarkleyRunning backPhiladelphia Eagles[41]
2025Drake MayeQuarterbackNew England Patriots[41]

Multiple-time winners

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See also

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References

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General
Footnotes
  1. 1 2 "Joe Montana Wins Bert Bell Award Handily". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 17, 1990. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  2. ↑ Click "Career Highlights" tab: "Barry Sanders". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 28, 2026. 1991 MVP/Player of the Year (MX)
  3. ↑ Carroll, Bob. Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. HarperCollins. p. 387. ISBN 0062701746. Retrieved February 28, 2026 – via Internet Archive. In 1959, the Maxwell Club of Philadelphia joined the field by awarding the first annual Bert Bell Trophy to its NFL most valuable player.
  4. ↑ "Taylor wins Bert Bell Award". The York Dispatch. UPI. January 16, 1987. p. 20. Retrieved February 28, 2026. Linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who led a New York Giants defense all the way to the Super Bowl, Thursday was named the most valuable player in the NFL by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia.
  5. ↑ Best, Neil (December 7, 2010). "Nobody Like Don". Newsday. p. A60. Retrieved February 28, 2026 – via Newspaper.com. In 1966, Meredith won the Bert Bell Award as the NFL's Most Valuable Player.
  6. ↑ "Unitas Wins Bell Award". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. December 18, 1959. p. 34. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Van Brocklin To Receive Bert Bell Award". Park City Daily News. Associated Press. December 21, 1960. p. 18. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Hornung, Ferguson Honored as 'Best'". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. February 6, 1962. Retrieved July 11, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  9. ↑ "Robustelli Says Award Recognition For Linemen". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. February 5, 1963. p. 4-C. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Jim Brown to Get Bell Award". The New York Times. United Press International. January 8, 1964. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Unitas, Ressler To Receive Awards". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. December 4, 1964. p. 17. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Bell award goes to Rice". Lakeland Ledger. January 15, 1988. p. 5D. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Maxwell Club Cites Lynch, Meredith". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. January 24, 1967. p. 2B. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Beban, Unitas Win Awards". The Morning Record. Associated Press. December 20, 1967. p. 9. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Simpson, Kelly Win Maxwell Awards". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. December 18, 1968. p. 74. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Reid, Gabriel Are Top Rated". Lodi News-Sentinel. United Press International. January 20, 1970. p. 8. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  17. ↑ "New Award For Blanda". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. December 18, 1970. p. 21. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Staubach Wins Bert Bell Award". Ludington Daily News. United Press International. December 23, 1971. p. 6. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  19. ↑ Bernstein, Ralph (December 15, 1972). "Redskins' Larry Brown Is Presented Bert Bell Award As Top Gridder Of Year". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. p. 15. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  20. ↑ "O.J. Is Two-Timer: Cappolletti, Simpson Maxwell Winners". Observer-Reporter. Associated Press. December 21, 1973. p. B4. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Joachim, Olsen Get Top Awards". Schenectady Gazette. Associated Press. December 13, 1974. p. 28. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Two Small Players Who Became Big Stars Receive Annual Maxwell Club Award". Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. December 19, 1975. p. 13. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Dorsett, Stabler Receive Maxwell, Bert Bell Awards". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. United Press International. January 20, 1977. p. 2-D. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Griese Named Pro Football's Player Of Year". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. December 16, 1977. p. 1E. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Fusina, Bradshaw Maxwell Picks". Reading Eagles. Associated Press. December 21, 1978. p. 37. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Campbell, White capture awards". Gadsden Times. Associated Press. December 20, 1979. p. 23. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Jaworski Wins Bert Bell Award". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. January 8, 1981. p. 3B. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Ken Anderson Named Winner Of Maxwell's Bert Bell Award". Reading Eagle. Associated Press. January 20, 1982. p. 39. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Theismann better doing less". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. January 22, 1983. p. 18. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  30. ↑ Lyon, Bill (February 23, 1984). "Riggins: I'm not as good as I was". The Day. p. 28. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Marino winner of Bert Bell Award". The Evening News. Associated Press. January 11, 1985. p. 3B. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Payton wins Maxwell Club Bell award". Lodi News-Sentinel. United Press International. January 17, 1986. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Taylor named Bell Award winner". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 16, 1987. p. D4. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Eagles' QB Cunningham Gets Bell Award". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 10, 1989. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Cunningham wins Maxwell's Award". The Prescott Courier. January 23, 1991. p. 9A. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  36. ↑ Rule, Bruce (January 10, 1992). "Sanders, Fontes cop NFL honors". Standard-Speaker. Associated Press. p. 22. Retrieved February 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "Sports People: Football; Young Wins Award As N.F.L.'s Top Player". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 15, 1993. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  39. ↑ Inabinett, Mark (January 24, 2016). "NFL Playoffs: Cam Newton won't put the cart before the horse". The Birmingham News. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  40. ↑ Broome, Anthony (January 20, 2017). "Matt Ryan wins Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) Winners | Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  42. ↑ "Colts' Running Back Jonathan Taylor Named Winner for 2021 Bert Bell Award". 4 February 2022.
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