LAS VEGAS – To absolutely no one’s surprise, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson took home the biggest prize in the sport during the NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 8.
To everyone’s astonishment, however, was the appearance of Prince Harry at the end of the night to bestow one of the major trophies, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The theater erupted in raucous cheers when the beloved Duke of Sussex of the British royal family emerged from backstage.
The Baltimore Ravens signal caller earned his second MVP honors during the televised gala at the ostentatious Resorts World Theater on the famous Vegas Strip. Though Jackson, who also won the MVP unanimously in 2019, ended his season with a disappointing performance and loss in the AFC Championship game, he remains optimistic about a Super Bowl berth for the upcoming 2024-25 season in the fall.
Also, as expected, former Ohio State standout C.J. Stroud won Rookie of the Year as quarterback guided the moribund Houston Texans to the playoffs — and won a postseason game — after waddling in misery and ineptitude for the past five years.
The other awards are as follows:
- San Francisco 49ers’ star running back Christian McCacffrey, aka “CMC,” won the Offensive Player of the Year, as he prepares to play in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday aginst the Chiefs;
- Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett capped off a monstrous season by capturing his first Defensive Player of the Year award;
- Two other people from Cleveland won awards as head coach Kevin Stefanski was voted Coach of the Year for the second time;
- And Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was Comeback Player of the Year;
- Stroud’s Texans teammate, defensive end Will Anderson Jr., won Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Before Prince Harry announced the winner of the Man of the Year Award, he joked to the football-crazed audience that Americans stole the sport from the British, which actually has some merit.
“I really love how you stole rugby from us and you made it your own,” he said to loud laughter. “Instead of passing it backwards, just pass it forwards. Why not wear pads and a helmet? Of course, have an offense and defense — that makes sense. And why not take a breather every 15 seconds?” he added as the crowd roared.
Harry then finished the bit by saying, “And you know what? Instead of a 10-month season, let’s just make it 18 weeks. Genius!”
The Man of the Year Award, which went to a player who has best exemplified the spirit of community service in the past year, was given to Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron “Cam” Heyward for the sixth time.
Heyward, 34, was astonished by who presented him the NFL’s highest honor.
“Oh, man,” Heyward exclaimed. “Man. Prince freaking Harry. Man, I’m in shock. That’s Prince Harry!”
