Brady wins MVP award on eve of Super Bowl
MINNEAPOLIS: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady became the oldest winner of the National Football League’s Player of the Year award on Saturday, winning the honour for the third time on the eve of his eighth Super Bowl appearance.
The 40-year-old superstar, who will attempt to win his sixth Lombardi Trophy against the Philadelphia Eagles, enjoyed another dazzling season as the Patriots talisman. Brady threw for 4,577 yards this season for 32 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.
Brady could become the oldest quarterback in history to win the Super Bowl if he is able to steer the Patriots past the Eagles at US Bank Stadium. In other awards Saturday, the Los Angeles Rams earned recognition for their stellar turnaround year, picking up three top honours. Rams head coach Sean McVay-the youngest head coach in NFL history at 31 was named coach of the year for transforming the California outfit into the league’s most potent offense after a 4-12 season in 2016.
The Rams won the NFC West championship for the first time since 2003 before being eliminated in the playoffs. Rams running back Todd Gurley picked up the offensive player of the year award following a season which saw him rack up 2,093 running and receiving yards with 19 total touchdowns. Rams team-mate Aaron Donald was named defensive player of the year. New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was named rookie of the year following a dazzling debut season. Kamara finished the year with 14 touchdowns and 1,554 yards from scrimmage. He was only the second rookie in history to post five rushing touchdowns, five receiving touchdowns and a kick-off return touchdown in the same season.