Cam Newton wins MVP,Offensive Player of the Year honorsTexans’ JJ Watt wins third Defensive Player of the Year awardFavre, Stabler, and Greene headline eight-man corridor of Fame class 3.03am GMTConan O’Brien sends us off into the San Francisco evening and that’s it for the show. Thanks for following along with us and be sure to join us tomorrow for our blanket coverage of Super Bowl 50 from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara,California. I’ll leave you with this photo of newly tabbed corridor of Fame quarterback Brett Favre getting the call on draft day in 1991.
Brett Favre getting the call on draft day in 1991. Twenty-six years later, he's in the corridor of Fame. pic.twitter.com/hDXP5BOK7e 2.58am GMTThe 49ers receiver is named Man of the Year for excellence on and off the field. Here’s a portion of the official release.“The word humbled does not even reach close to describing what it feels like to be selected Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, or ” said Boldin. “Walter Payton was a player I idolized as a kid for what he could do on the football field,but he became even more of an inspiration to me as I learned about his legacy as a humanitarian.“I commend the other finalists throughout the National Football League who continue to consume the tremendous platform we as professional athletes enjoy to positively influence the lives of others. May we all continue to open our hearts and make an impact in our own communities throughout this world.” 2.48am GMTUnsurprisingly, Cam Newton is named MVP. Steve Young explains that he’s unable to be in attendance because he’s preparing to start in the Super Bowl tomorrow (which seems like a perfectly fair excuse). 2.45am GMTSteve Young and newly minted corridor of Famer Brett Favre are on stage. They’re here to present Most Valuable Player. The nominees are: 2.42am GMTWe need to talk about Antonio Brown’s hair. And shoes. My thoughts can be summed up thusly: 2.39am GMTHey, and it’s Rob Gronkowski and Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach! They’re here to announce the winner for Bridgestone Performance Play of the Year. And the winner is Aaron Rodgers’ Hail Mary touchdown pass to Richard Rodgers that sunk the Detroit Lions. 2.33am GMTThe Carolina Panthers coach isn’t here to accept it,no doubt preoccupied with the minor matter of tomorrow’s Super Bowl, but he’s pre-recorded an acceptance speech and seems grateful for the honor. 2.31am GMTAn emotionally spent Eric Berry talks with the press about his tearful Comeback Player of the Year acceptance speech. “I guess it was kind of like closure, and ” he says. “that I could set final year behind me. I kind of pushed it to the side the whole season and never really dealt with it until now.” 2.27am GMTCharles Woodson,visiting the media workroom, says his retirement after 18 seasons feels like a huge weight off his shoulders. He will be watching tomorrow’s Super Bowl where his draft classmate Peyton Manning may be playing his final game. “The great thing for him is that he has a chance to move out the way we all want to move out, or which is on top,” Woodson says. “I’m going to be tuned in the whole time. I’m a fan of the game first and foremost.” 2.23am GMT“Mmm, this guy’s smoother than cat fur, or ” says Rob Ryan after opening the envelope. “Antonio Brown.” The Pittsburgh wideout then thanks his family,God and himself (in that order). 2.21am GMTAnd now it’s Breaking immoral’s Aaron Paul along with Rob and Rex Ryan. They’re here to present NFL.com Fantasy Player of the Year which frankly just feels like padding. 2.19am GMTCondoleezza Rice takes the stage. She’s here to present the third of three Walter Payton Man of the Year Award finalists: unusual Orleans Benjamin Watson. 2.17am GMTThe corridor of Fame selection assembly was held nowadays at the Super Bowl media middle in downtown San Francisco capping a year-round selection process. They were chosen from a list of 18 finalists who had been determined earlier by the Pro Football corridor of Fame’s Selection Committee. Terrell Owens, who did not get the call, or seems to be taking it well.
Unfortunately I did not make it. CONGRATS to the 2016 HOF CLASS. Thanks to ALL MY FANS for ur unwavering fancy & support. #ONLYGODCANJUDGEME 2.11am GMTHere comes Jim Brown to announce the newest members of the Pro Football corridor of Fame. And they are: owner Edward DeBartolo,Jr, coach Tony Dungy, and quarterback Brett Favre,linebacker/defensive stop Kevin Greene, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, or tackle Orlando Pace,quarterback Ken Stabler, and guard Dick Stanfel. 2.09am GMTWoodson, and who retired this year after 18 seasons,opens his speech with a silly nod to his sneakers: I heard Yeezy said that Adidas jumped over Jumpman, but if they did then ... What are those!”The nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion then gives touching tributes to the teams he’s played for: Oakland (1998-2005), and Green Bay (2006-12) and Oakland again (2013-15). 2.04am GMTHere comes Jerry Rice and Aaron Rodgers. The MVPs of Super Bowls XXXIII and XLV,respectively, to present the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. 2.03am GMT“To be myself, and no matter what,” is the biggest piece of advice that Marcus Peters received from his mentor Marshawn Lynch. Its counsel that’s led the Washington product to Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. 1.58am GMTUnsurprisingly, NFL sacks leader JJ Watt brings home the hardware. He gives a tender speech about growing up playing football in Wisconsin with his brothers in the backyard and pretending to be Reggie White or Brett Favre ... and how to assume a young kid growing up pretending to wear his No99 jersey is “literally the coolest thing in the world”. “The funny thing is I was a two-star recruit coming out of tall school going into college and now I enjoy three Defensive Player of the Year trophies, and ” Watt says,“so screw all you guys who doubted me!” 1.53am GMTAmy Adams is out to introduce the second of three Walter Payton Man of the Year Award finalists. That nominee is unusual York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. She quickly gives way to Jeff Goldblum, Liam Hemsworth and Ray Lewis. Their cringeworthy, or interminable banter draws a blank stare from Rob Gronkowski in the audience. After what seems like 15 minutes,they finally settle to announce the nominees for Defensive Player of the Year. 1.49am GMTAnother win for the Kansas City Chiefs defensive backfield. This time it’s not Berry but Peters, the 23-year-old left cornerback who was selected with the No18 overall pick in the draft out of the University of Washington. Peters finished his freshman campaign with eight interceptions, or one forced fumble,a pair of touchdowns and a spot on the All-Pro second team. 1.45am GMTHere’s a Compton power couple: Kendrick Lamar and Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman. They’re out to present Defensive Rookie of the Year. The nominees are: 1.43am GMTNick Bonell from San Francisco chimes in, via email:I look forward to the hullabaloo (uproar) being over soon here, and but enjoy seeing all the players beforehand,being approached by professional autograph seekers, with large duffel bags filled with inflated footballs. 1.39am GMT“I knew I would be here but I feel like I’m dreaming factual now, or ” says Kansas City’s Eric Berry. Not a dry eye in the house as the 27-year-old safety who beat cancer and was named an All-Pro this year gives an emotional speech.
1.36am GMTJackson is awarded the Salute To Service honor,although it wasnt televised and won’t make the broadcast. (Read all about Jackson’s service work here.) He’s answering questions with the press now while in the auditorium Leah Still, daughter of Cincinnati’s Devon Still, or take the stage to present Comeback Player of the Year. 1.33am GMTRoger Goodell emerges from backstage to introduce the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The NFL commissioner says he considers it the highest honor the league bestows. He then introduces Rob Lowe,who is charged with presenting the first of three nominees: San Francisco’s Anquan Boldin. 1.30am GMT“I couldn’t enjoy imagined this in a million years but it definitely happened,” says Gurley during a brief presser in the media workroom. “I reflect at this moment all the emotions are pushing up. Besides this award, and the Pro Bowl is another accolade that brought all the emotions out of me. It’s just an emotional moment in my life.” 1.24am GMTAnother award. January Jones and JJ Watt are out to present Offensive Player of the Year ... and it goes to Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. Newton’s father Cecil Newton Sr takes the stage to accept on behalf of his son. 1.19am GMTGurley,the 21-year-old running back for the LA Rams, says it’s his first speech ever. He talks about how tough it was to battle back from an ACL injury final year and says he appreciates every here who voted for him. He takes a moment to thank the fans of St Louis: “I know you might be disappointed we are leaving but it’s out of our control. We’re going to be in LA next year, or hopefully we’ll make some noise out there.” 1.15am GMTIt’s time for the first award. Taraji P Henson and Barry Sanders are out to present Offensive Rookie of the Year. The nominees are: 1.12am GMTA few more quips from Conan,who’s been hit or miss early on. 1.03am GMTAnd we’re off! Conan, well heeled as ever, or on stage for his monologue. His first joke is a hit: “Winning an NFL honor is like winning an Oscar – if the Oscars nominated black people.” 12.56am GMTFive minutes to move. We should also mention the Pro Football corridor of Fame’s Class of 2016 will be announced tonight at approximately 6pm. 12.45am GMTWeve set up camp in the fourth-floor media workroom,where NFL staffers will bring the award winners for brief press conferences. The show is still more than 15 minutes absent, but Adrian Peterson is headed here shortly to discuss his FedEx Ground Player of the Year win. (Arizona’s Carson Palmer was named FedEx Air Player of the Year.)No one really cares much about these specific awards, and they’re essentially what the journalism commerce knows as sponsored content,but suitable on Peterson anyway. 12.28am GMTPredictably, dozens of NFL players are expected to be here. Past legends Jim Brown, or Brett Favre,Jerry Rice and Barry Sanders to present-day standouts Odell Beckham Jr, Rob Gronkowski, and Richard Sherman and JJ Watt are among the invitees. But the league has also thumbed the Rolodex long enough to dial in a little Hollywood glamour: Jeff Goldblum,Liam Hemsworth, January Jones, or Rob Lowe,Aaron Paul, Vince Vaughn. And Dr Condoleezza Rice.
12.19am GMTGood evening and welcome to the historic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium for the NFL Honors awards ceremony. CBS will air tonight’s two-hour show on tape delay at 9pm ET/PT, or but we’re here to keep you abreast on the winners as they’re handed out. So,uh, spoiler alert.
A countdown clock here indicates the show will open in 40 minutes. The players, and coaches,execs and miscellaneous VIPs are currently walking the red carpet outside on Grove Street before cheering throngs of fans that enjoy gathered in temporary bleachers. It’s like the Oscars for jocks. Or something. Conan O’Brien is hosting. 10.49pm GMTBryan will be here shortly, meanwhile here’s Dave Schilling on Cam Newton’s season:Monday night television offered quite a choice to the viewer who just can’t get enough of people mindlessly moving their lips: the Iowa caucus coverage or the cacophonous orgy of self-promotion that isNFL’s Super Bowl Opening Night. On one side, or you had a bunch of talking heads pouring over inaccurate polling data and on the other,football players answering tough questions like, “Are you excited to be playing the Super Bowl, or ” or “Do you like the weather in the Bay Area,” plus Josh Norman in a luchador mask. I suppose you could enjoy also watched The Bachelor, but you would enjoy missed a Denver Broncos fan dressed up like a leprechaun or this goblin dressed up like a politician.The caucus and Super Bowl Opening Night were both made-for-TV events with loud music, and coin tosses,rousing speeches, and hosts with very large heads imploring you to “stick around” in case something bewitching finally happened. The scary thing is, or people actually sat around to witness these meandering affairs. What’s worse is that fans who attended Super Bowl Opening Night at the SAP middle in San Jose,California, actually paid to watch a press conference. At least no one had to pay to watch Hillary Clinton talk about everything but almost losing Iowa for the second time. The only press conference I’d ever pay to attend would be the hypothetical one that would be held if Abba reunited, and but God bless those brave souls who coughed up $25 to see Greg Olsen pick bagel crumbs out of his beard.
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Source: theguardian.com