Don Hutson, the first multiple-time NFL MVP

The Joe F. Carr Trophy was the first award given in the National Football League (NFL) to recognize a most valuable player for each season. It was first awarded in 1938, known then as the Gruen Trophy,[1] and renamed in 1939 in honor of NFL commissioner Joseph Carr.[2][3] The Gruen Trophy, sponsored by Gruen Watch Co., was first awarded in 1937 to Dutch Clark of the Detroit Lions. However, both contemporary[4][5] and modern[6] sources consider the 1938 award the first retroactive Joe F. Carr Trophy, and thus the first NFL MVP award. Players were chosen by a panel of sportswriters who distributed first and second place votes. It was awarded until the 1946 season, and it remains the only MVP award the NFL has officially sanctioned.[7]

SeasonPlayerTeamPositionRefs
1938Mel HeinNew York GiantsC, LB[1]
1939Parker HallCleveland RamsQB, HB[3]
1940Ace ParkerBrooklyn DodgersQB, HB[8]
1941Don HutsonGreen Bay PackersEnd[4]
1942Don Hutson (2)Green Bay PackersEnd[9]
1943Sid LuckmanChicago BearsQB[10]
1944Frank SinkwichDetroit LionsHB[11]
1945Bob WaterfieldCleveland RamsQB[5]
1946Bill DudleyPittsburgh SteelersHB[12]

See also

References

General
  • "Joe F. Carr Trophy (MVP) Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
Footnotes
  1. 1 2 "Mel Hein Voted Most Valuable". The Spokesman-Review. January 18, 1940. p. 13. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Storck Named President". The Pittsburgh Press. July 23, 1939. p. 16. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Parker Hall Named Valuable Player". The Daily Times. January 18, 1940. p. 13. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Don Hutson Voted Most Valuable Pro". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. February 12, 1942. p. 4. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Waterfield Named Most Valuable Gridiron Player". Prescott Evening Courier. Associated Press. January 4, 1946. p. 5. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Joe F. Carr Trophy (MVP) Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  7. ↑ Turney, John (February 21, 2015). "Dutch Clark's Missing 1937 MVP Award". nflfootballjournal.com. Pro Football Journal. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Ace Parker, Brooklyn, Voted 'Most Valuable'". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. January 18, 1941. p. 7. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Don Hutson Named Most Valuable Pro". The Milwaukee Journal. United Press. January 28, 1943. p. 10. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Sid Luckman Gets Grid Trophy". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. September 2, 1944. p. 3. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Sinkwich Voted Most Valuable". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. April 3, 1945. p. 15. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Bill Dudley Gets Trophy Sunday". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press. October 9, 1947. p. 40. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
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