Jim Thorpe Trophy Explained

The Jim Thorpe Memorial Trophy[1] was an American football award presented by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) to the most valuable player (MVP) of the National Football League (NFL) from 1955 to 2008.[2] It was the only NFL MVP award whose winner was chosen by a poll of NFL players.[3] [4] By 1975, the Jim Thorpe Trophy was described by the TimesDaily as "one of the pros' most coveted honors."[5] In 1983, the Del Rio News Herald called it the "highest professional football award, period."[6] Earl Campbell was the first player to win the award in consecutive seasons,[7] capturing three straight from 1978 to 1980.[8] Quarterbacks Charlie Conerly (1959) and Roman Gabriel (1969) won the trophy despite not being voted to the NEA's All-Pro first team in their respective seasons—Johnny Unitas was named to the first team over Conerly, while Sonny Jurgensen got the nod over Gabriel.[9] [10]

The award was founded by Murray Olderman, a sportswriter and cartoonist for the NEA.[1] [11] [12] It was named in honor of Jim Thorpe, a professional football pioneer who was a player and the first president of what became the NFL.[1] [13] At the award's inception, Olderman sent ballots to every player in the league.[14] [15] Coaches joined the players in the voting process in 1975.[16] Starting in 1987, the award became a joint project between the NEA, Jim Thorpe Association, and National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).[17] Olderman also left the NEA that year and ended his association with the award.[15] The NFLPA took over the balloting and added Pro Football Hall of Fame members to the voting panel in place of coaches.[18] [19]

The first recipient of the Jim Thorpe Trophy was Harlon Hill of the Chicago Bears, who was presented the trophy by NEA sports editor Harry Grayson in a televised halftime ceremony from the 1956 Pro Bowl in Los Angeles.[20] In addition to Pro Bowl halftimes,[21] subsequent years also saw the presentation televised on the final regular season weekend in either a pregame or halftime event.[22] [23] It was even on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1958.[24] The presentation moved to the pregame show for the NFL championship game starting in 1961.[25] In 1967, the winner was presented the trophy in a party at CBS Television City in Los Angeles for NEA's All-Pro selections, which was filmed and shown nationally during halftime of the Pro Bowl.[26] In subsequent years, CBS aired a half-hour special before the Pro Bowl featuring the Jim Thorpe Trophy winner along with the All-Pros.[27] [28] After years of holding an awards banquet in New York, the ceremony was discontinued around 1980. Olderman and the NEA sought a sponsor. The Jim Thorpe Association of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, took over the presentation of the trophy in 1987, presenting it at the existing awards banquet for their Jim Thorpe Award, which honors the top defensive back in college football.[29] The NFL trophy was redesigned that year to feature a bronze statuette of Jim Thorpe.[30]

Awardees

Season Player Team PositionRef
1955[31]
1956Running back [32]
1957Quarterback [33]
1958[34]
Quarterback [35]
Quarterback
Quarterback [36]
Running back [37]
Y. A. Tittle (2) Quarterback [38]
Jim Brown (2) Cleveland Browns Running back
Halfback [39]
Jim Brown (3) Running back [40]
Quarterback [41]
Johnny Unitas (2) Quarterback [42]
Quarterback [43]
Quarterback [44]
Quarterback [45]
Quarterback[46]
Running back
Running back
1974Quarterback
Quarterback[47]
Quarterback
Running back
Running back[48]
Earl Campbell (2) Running back
Earl Campbell (3) Running back[49]
Quarterback[50]
Quarterback
Washington Redskins Quarterback
Quarterback
Walter Payton (2) Running back
New York Giants Quarterback
Wide receiver
San Francisco 49ers Running back
San Francisco 49ers Quarterback
Quarterback
Buffalo Bills Running back
Running back
Emmitt Smith (2) Dallas Cowboys Running back
San Francisco 49ers Quarterback[51]
Green Bay Packers Quarterback
Brett Favre (2) Green Bay Packers Quarterback
Detroit Lions Running back[52]
Minnesota Vikings Quarterback
Quarterback
St. Louis Rams Running back
Kurt Warner (2) St. Louis Rams Quarterback
Oakland Raiders Quarterback
Quarterback
Peyton Manning (2) Indianapolis Colts Quarterback
Running back
San Diego Chargers Running back
Quarterback
Kurt Warner (3) Quarterback[53]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Harry. Grayson. Thorpe NFL's 1st President. December 16, 1960. Meridien Journal. 5. Newspaper Enterprise Association. June 26, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Griese Voted Most Valuable. January 11, 1972. The Herald Journal. 5. NEA. June 26, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Mark. Bentley. OSU Golfers Favored in Big Eight. April 26, 1992. The Sunday Oklahoman. Section B, p. 5. June 27, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  4. News: Olderman. Murray. Van Brocklin Gets Jim Thorpe Trophy. June 21, 2016. The Telegraph. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 16, 1960. 12.
  5. News: Harold. Stout. Harlon Hill Elected for Hall of Fame. June 21, 2016. Times Daily. October 26, 1975. 23.
  6. News: Carl. Guys. Guys Guff. January 17, 1983. Del Rio News Herald. 5. June 30, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  7. News: Murray. Olderman. Earl Campbell — top NFLer again. January 11, 1980. Alberni Valley Times. 6. NEA. June 27, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Murray. Olderman. Earl Campbell wins Thorpe Trophy. January 16, 1981. Ukiah Daily Journal. 6. June 27, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Murray. Olderman. Colta And Giants Dominate Players' All-Pro Grid Squad. December 15, 1959. The Salisbury Times. NEA. 17. July 3, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Gillingham, Robinson Picked NEA All-Pros. December 22, 1969. The Sheboygan Press. 45. July 3, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  11. News: Howard. Siner. Murray Olderman is a Hall of Famer. May 26, 1993. Daily Chronicle. DeKalb/Sycamore, Illinois. 15. NEA. June 27, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  12. News: Horgan. Richard. SO WHAT DO YOU DO, MURRAY OLDERMAN, ICONIC SPORTS JOURNALIST AND CARTOONIST?. Media Bistro. May 21, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150414003840/http://www.mediabistro.com/So-What-Do-You-Do-Murray-Olderman-Iconic-Sports-Journalist-and-Cartoonist-a12102.html. April 14, 2015.
  13. News: Sanders earns Jim Thore Honor. February 24, 1998. News Herlad. Port Clinton, Ohio. Associated Press. A7. June 27, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  14. News: Norm Van Brocklin Awarded Sixth Jim Thorpe Award. December 16, 1960. Public Opinion. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. 10. NEA. June 29, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  15. Book: Olderman, Murray. The Draw of Sport. 2017. Fantagraphics Books. 48. 9781606999950.
  16. News: NEA: Tarkenton is MVP. January 26, 1976. The Daily Tribune. Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 7. NEA. June 30, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  17. News: Thorpe To Another 49er. January 30, 1990. Daily Record. Morristown, New Jersey. B5. June 27, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  18. News: Greg. Robinson. Moon Garners NFL's Most Valuable Player Award. February 10, 1991. Del Rio News Herald. 12A. June 26, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  19. News: Thomas Nets Thorpe Title. March 4, 1992. The Daily Oklahoman. 25. June 30, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  20. News: Murray. Olderman. Harlon Hill, Small School Grad, Wins First Jim Thorpe Trophy. December 14, 1955. Blytheville Courier News. 15. NEA. June 26, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  21. News: John Unitas MVP By Pros. December 19, 1957. The Napa Register. 12. NEA. June 28, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  22. News: New York Giants' Gifford Receives Jim Thorpe Trophy. December 24, 1956. The Daily Inter Lake. 5. NEA. June 28, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  23. News: Murray. Olderman. Conerly, 38, Wins Pros' Jim Thorpe Trophy. December 12, 1959. Journal-Every Evening. 24. June 28, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  24. News: Between You'n Me. December 31, 1958. Reno Evening Gazette. 27. June 28, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  25. News: Murray. Olderman. Tittle To Get 7th Annial Jim Thorpe Memorial Award. December 26, 1961. The Raleigh Register. 11. June 28, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  26. News: Murray. Olderman. Nobody Else in Unitas' Class During 1967 season: Starr. January 9, 1968. The Marshfield News-Herald. 14. NEA. June 30, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  27. News: Special to Present Pro Team. January 17, 1970. The Pottstown Mercury. A6. June 30, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  28. News: NFL's Top Four Honored At Pro Bowl. January 22, 1973. The Hillsdale Daily News. 8. NEA. June 30, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  29. News: Jim. Lassiter. Thorpe Athletic Club Plans To Honor Top NFL Player. May 28, 1987. The Oklahoman. June 26, 2021.
  30. News: Jim Thorpe Trophy For Most Valuable Player in the NFL. November 8, 1992. The Sunday Oklahoman. Jim Thorpe Marathon Festival supplement. July 2, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  31. News: Grainger. Charles. Harlon Hill Due For Six Months' Army Service. June 24, 2016. The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. February 20, 1957. 9.
  32. News: Giants' Frank Gifford Named Top Star in NFL by Players. June 24, 2016. The Pittsburgh Press. December 20, 1956. 24.
  33. News: Olderman. Murray. John Unitas Wins Jim Thorpe Trophy. February 16, 2017. Miami Daily News-Record. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 20, 1957. 5. Newspapers.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216134119/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8967992/john_unitas_wins_jim_thorpe_trophy/. February 16, 2017.
  34. News: Olderman. Murray. Cleveland's Jimmy Brown Grabs Jim Thorpe Trophy. June 29, 2016. TimesDaily. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 16, 1958. 7.
  35. News: Olderman. Murray. Giant Ace Wins Thorpe Title. June 29, 2016. Gadsden Times. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 20, 1959.
  36. News: Olderman. Murray. Players Name Tittle Thorpe Trophy Winner. June 27, 2016. The Telegraph. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 27, 1961. 12.
  37. News: Olderman. Murray. Thorpe Trophy Won By Packer Fullback. February 15, 2017. The Evening Sun. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 18, 1962. 10. Newspapers.com.
  38. News: Tittle and Brown Win Thorpe Trophy. June 24, 2016. The Fort Scott Tribune. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 23, 1963. 11.
  39. News: Olderman. Murray. Thorpe Trophy Caps Len Moore's Comeback. June 27, 2016. The Pittsburgh Press. December 18, 1964. 36.
  40. News: 11th Annual Thorpe Trophy Goes To Cleveland's Brown. February 16, 2017. The Bristol Daily Courier. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 28, 1965. 21. Newspapers.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216142413/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8969522/11th_annual_thorpe_trophy_goes_to/. February 16, 2017.
  41. News: Olderman. Murray. Bart Starr Is Selected Jim Thorpe Award Winner. February 16, 2017. Standard-Speaker. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 22, 1966. 25. Newspapers.com.
  42. News: Olderman. Murray. Unitas Claims Jim Thorpe Cup. February 16, 2017. The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland). Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 29, 1967. 10. Newspapers.com.
  43. News: Olderman. Murray. Earl Morrall Wins Jim Thorpe Trophy. February 16, 2017. The Daily Herald. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 26, 1968. 12. Newspapers.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216140201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8970035/earl_morrall_wins_jim_thorpe_trophy/. February 16, 2017.
  44. News: Olderman. Murray. Roman Gabriel Wins Jim Thorpe Award. February 16, 2017. The Gastonia Gazette. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 25, 1969. 37. Newspapers.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216134553/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8970083/roman_gabriel_wins_jim_thorpe_award/. February 16, 2017.
  45. News: Olderman. Murray. John Brodie Wins The 1970 Jim Thorpe Award. February 16, 2017. Pampa Daily News. Newspaper Enterprise Association. December 29, 1970. 8. Newspapers.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216133849/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8970153/john_brodie_wins_the_1970_jim_thorpe/. February 16, 2017.
  46. News: Bob Griese Gets Thorpe Trophy As Top Player. June 21, 2016. Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. January 5, 1972. 4.
  47. News: Jim Thorpe award goes to Tarkenton. June 24, 2016. Gadsden Times. Newspaper Enterprise Association. January 21, 1976. 30.
  48. News: Campbell wins Thorpe. June 30, 2016. Park City Daily News. December 26, 1979. 4-B.
  49. News: Olderman. Murray. Earl Campbell: a triple champ. June 30, 2016. The Nevada Daily Mail. Newspaper Enterprise Association. January 18, 1981. 10.
  50. Web site: Newspaper Ent. Assoc. NFL Most Valuable Player Winners. Pro Football Reference. June 28, 2021.
  51. News: Steve Young Receives Jim thorpe MVP Award. September 24, 1995. The Sunday Oklahoman. Oklahoma Champions, p. 9. June 26, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  52. News: Sanders Wins Jim Thorpe Trophy. February 24, 1998. The Daily Oklahoman. 21. June 26, 2021. Newspapers.com.
  53. News: Warner earns Thorpe MVP award. May 25, 2009. The Oklahoman. 2B. June 26, 2021. Newspapers.com.

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