NEWARK, N.J., January 3, 2011 – Tom Brady and Troy Polamalu head an impressive roster of current NFL stars named as finalists for the 2010 NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards. Under a new format this year, former NFL players will vote for the winners from among three finalists per 11 categories -- nine positional categories, Coach of the Year and overall Player of the Year. Finalists were chosen by legendary NFL coach and front office executive Bill Parcells.
The awards finalists are:
OFFENSE
Quarterback– Tom Brady (New England Patriots), Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers), Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
Running Back – Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs), Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars), Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons)
Wide Receiver – Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers), Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts), Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons)
Tight End –Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons), Dustin Keller (New York Jets), Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)
Offensive Lineman – Jahri Evans (New Orleans Saints), Jake Long (Miami Dolphins), Josh Sitton (Green Bay Packers)
DEFENSE
Defensive Lineman – Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions), Kyle Williams (Buffalo Bills), Mario Williams (Houston Texans)
Linebacker – Clay Matthews (Green Bay Packers), Cameron Wake (Miami Dolphins), Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)
Defensive Back – Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers), Asante Samuel (Philadelphia Eagles), Aqib Talib (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER
David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles), Dustin Colquitt (Kansas City Chiefs), Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)
COACH of the YEAR
Todd Haley (Kansas City Chiefs), Lovie Smith (Chicago Bears), Mike Smith (Atlanta Falcons)
PLAYER of the YEAR
Clay Matthews (Green Bay Packers), Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers), Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers)
The 2010 winners will be announced at the 29th annual NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards Show Presented by Allstate Insurance, to be held Friday, February 4, 2011, at Union Station in Dallas, Texas. During the awards ceremony, each honoree will receive his NFL Alumni Player of the Year award from former NFL player counterparts. Veteran NFL commentator Gus Johnson will serve as Master of Ceremonies for this year's event
Voting for the NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards will open to all retired NFL players on Monday, January 3, 2011 at www.nflalumni.org and will close on Monday, January 24, 2011. Each former player who votes will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win four (4) VIP tickets to the NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards Show.
The NFL Alumni is a non-profit organization operated and governed by former NFL player members with a dual mission of improving the quality of life for former players and continuing their historical support of youth and community charities.
