Actor Jon Hamm was among stars of stage, screen and sport on the red carpet for the NFL Honors ceremony Saturday at the Wortham Theater Center.
Firing spirals with precision all season as the triggerman for Atlanta’s explosive offense, quarterback Matt Ryan was recognized for his skills Saturday night.
One day before he squares off against New England and quarterback Tom Brady in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium, Ryan was named the NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year during the NFL Honors program at Wortham Theater Center.
Ryan, 31, established franchise records with 4,944 passing yards and 38 touchdown passes as the leader for the highestscoring offense in the NFL. Ryan received 25 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of the media, 15 more than Brady. Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott and Oakland quarterback Derek Carr received six votes apiece, followed by Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ two votes and one for Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott.
“This is an incredible honor for me,” Ryan said in a statement. “Obviously, there are so many other great candidates and players who had amazing seasons. I want to thank all of my teammates. Obviously, without them none of this is possible. We’ve had so many guys on our team make great plays and have great seasons for us, so thank you to those guys. Big thank you to my wife (Sarah) for the support that she gives me throughout the year. Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without her.”
Ryan is the first Falcon to win the Associated Press award. He started every game and completed 69.9 percent of his throws for a 117.1 passer rating, the fifth highest in a season in NFL history. He threw only seven interceptions. The Falcons won the NFC South and finished 11-5 as they set a franchise record with 540 points. Mack the top defender
Ryan set an NFL record by throwing touchdown passes to 13 receivers, with 83 catches for 1,409 yards and six scores for receiver Julio Jones.
“Matt has been unbelievable this year,” said Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Ryan had career highs for completion percentage, yards (4,944), touchdowns (38) and passer rating and a career low for interceptions.
Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He beat out Denver pass rusher Von Miller by one vote. Miller had 13½ sacks and three forced fumbles.
Mack had 11 sacks with five forced fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was named the NFL Coach of the Year.
The Cowboys lost in the playoffs to the Packers, but had a resurgent season as six players made the Pro Bowl and were led by a rookie quarterback after veteran Tony Romo injured his back during the preseason. Dallas finished 13-3
Garrett got 25 votes, beating out New England’s Bill Belichick (14 votes), Miami’s Adam Gase (six), Oakland’s Jack Del Rio (four) and Kansas City’s Andy Reid (one). Prescott, Bosa honored
Prescott was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year, the first Cowboy to win it since running back Emmitt Smith in 1990.
The fourth-round pick from Mississippi State set Cowboys rookie records with 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns, 311 completions, a 104.9 passer rating and a 67.8 completion percentage. He beat out his teammate Elliott, who rushed for 1,631 yards and 16 TDs.
“Do we have a knife so I can cut this in half?” Prescott said in a reference to Elliott.
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Bosa missed the first four games due to a contract holdout, but he finished with 12½ sacks. He received 37 out of 50 votes, winning in a landslide over Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year as he recovered from a knee injury that forced him to miss the 2015 season. Nelson had 97 catches for 1,257 yards and 14 TDs to lead the NFL.
Colts running back Frank Gore won the annual Art Rooney Award for sportsmanship.
And Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning shared the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
“Quite simply this is the most meaningful honor an NFL player can receive, and I am flattered beyond words that the selection committee deemed me worthy of it,” Fitzgerald said.