The NFL Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is composed of former National Football League (NFL) players, coaches, team staff members and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in hands-on service to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth". It was founded in 1967.

The NFL Alumni headquarters is in Mount Laurel, New Jersey with an additional 35 chapters across the country. The NFL Alumni is a dues-paying membership association. Anyone who ever played professional football qualifies to join as a Player member while team personnel are Professional Members. Individuals who did not play in the NFL may enroll in a limited category as Associate Members. The cornerstone of the NFL Alumni's fundraising efforts is its Charity Golf Classic Tour which began in 1979. Among its programs for former players is the Dire Need Trust that provides financial assistance for former NFL players in need. Another program is the Pro Legends Speakers Bureau, which books former NFL players for personal appearances around the country.

Since 1982 the NFL Alumni has held the Player of the Year Awards Dinner honoring the top 10 players and coach from the previous NFL season. The players are honored by a voting process in which former players cast ballots for their modern counterparts. Former pros vote only for the positions they once played themselves.

2011 NFL Alumni Player of the Year winners

2010 Player of the Year winners

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Overall

Coach

Source:[2]

2009 Player of the Year winners

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

2008 Player of the Year Awards

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

2007 Player of the Year winners

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

2006 Player of the Year winners

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

In addition to the Player of the Year Awards, the NFL Alumni also honors past or current players with its Spirit Award for youth-oriented community service, Order of the Leather Helmet Award for individuals who "have made significant contributions to the game of professional football" and the Career Achievement Award given to those "whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization." The winner of the 2010 Spirit Award was Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones.

NFL Alumni Order of the Leather Helmet

Awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of professional football.

NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award

Awarded to individuals whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization.

References

  1. ↑ "Maurice Jones-Drew Named Alumni's Player of the Year" (Press release). NFL Alumni. February 8, 2012. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  2. ↑ "NFL Alumni Names Winners of 2010 Player of the Year Awards". NFLAlumni.org. February 5, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
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