NFL Alumni

The NFL Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization 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 service initiatives to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth." It was founded in 1967, but the organization was revitalized and restructured under the leadership of Vic Maitland, who became its first full-time CEO in 1977.

Maitland, a former player and marketing executive, reorganized the NFL Alumni into a charitable and educational institution and relocated its headquarters to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He worked for a symbolic salary of $1 per year and personally contributed nearly $1 million to keep the organization afloat during its early years.

Under Maitland’s leadership, the NFL Alumni expanded to more than 30 active chapters and launched many signature programs, including:

- The Charity Golf Classic Tour (established in 1979), the cornerstone of its fundraising efforts.
- The Player of the Year Awards Dinner (begun in 1982), honoring top players and coaches by votes cast from former players.
- The NFL Alumni Ring, a distinctive gold and sapphire piece introduced in the early 1980s.
- The NFL Alumni Gold Blazer tradition, first awarded in 1978 to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees as part of their ceremonial recognition.
- The Pro Legends Speakers Bureau, which books retired players for public

2011 NFL Alumni Player of the Year winners

*Quarterback – Matthew Stafford (Lions)
*Running Back – Maurice Jones-Drew, (Jaguars)
*Wide Receiver – Hakeem Nicks, (Giants)
*Lineman - Chris Long, (Rams)
*Linebacker – Aldon Smith, (49ers)
*Defensive Back – Brent Grimes, (Falcons)
*Player of the Year - Maurice Jones-Drew, (Jaguars)
*Lifetime Achievement - Randall Cunningham

2010 Player of the Year winners

Offense
*Quarterback – Philip Rivers, (Chargers)
*Running Back – Maurice Jones-Drew, (Jaguars)
*Wide Receiver – Roddy White, (Falcons)
*Tight End – Jason Witten, (Cowboys)
*Offensive Lineman – Josh Sitton, (Packers)

Defense
*Defensive Lineman – Ndamukong Suh, (Lions)
*Linebacker – Patrick Willis, (49ers)
*Defensive Back – Aqib Talib, (Buccaneers)

Special teams
*Special Teams Player – Devin Hester, (Bears)

Overall
*Player of the Year - Troy Polamalu, (Steelers)

Coach
*Coach – Todd Haley, (Chiefs)

:Source:

2009 Player of the Year winners

Offense
*Quarterback – Drew Brees, (Saints)
*Running Back – Chris Johnson, (Titans)
*Wide Receiver – Andre Johnson, (Texans)
*Tight End – Dallas Clark, (Colts)
*Offensive Lineman – Steve Hutchinson, (Vikings)

Defense
*Defensive Lineman – Jared Allen, (Vikings)
*Pass Rusher – Elvis Dumervil, (Broncos)
*Linebacker – Patrick Willis, (49ers)
*Defensive Back – Charles Woodson, (Packers)

Special teams
*Special Teams Player – Joshua Cribbs, (Browns)

Coach
*Coach – Sean Payton, (Saints)

2008 Player of the Year Awards

Offense
* Quarterback — Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)
* Running Back — Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
* Wide Receiver — Andre Johnson(Houston Texans)
* Tight End — Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)
* Offensive Lineman — Alan Faneca (New York Jets)

Defense
* Defensive Lineman — Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee Titans)
* Pass Rusher — DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys)
* Linebacker — James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers)
*Defensive Back — Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens)

Special teams
* Special Teams Player — Leon Washington (New York Jets)

Coach
* Coach — Tony Sparano (Miami Dolphins)

2007 Player of the Year winners

Offense
* Quarterback — Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
* Running Back — Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles)
* Wide Receiver — Randy Moss (New England Patriots)
* Tight End — Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)
* Offensive Linemen — Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis Colts)

Defense
* Defensive Lineman — Mario Williams (Houston Texans)
* Pass Rusher — Jared Allen (Kansas City Chiefs)
* Linebacker — Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)
* Defensive Back — Antonio Cromartie (San Diego Chargers)

Special teams
* Special Teams Player — Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)

Coach
* Coach — Mike McCarthy (Green Bay Packers)

2006 Player of the Year winners

Offense
* Quarterback — Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)
* Running Back — LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers)
* Wide Receiver — Andre Johnson (Houston Texans)
* Tight End — Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens)
* Offensive Lineman — Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota Vikings)

Defense
* Defensive Lineman — Jason Taylor (Miami Dolphins)
* Pass Rusher — Aaron Kampman (Green Bay Packers)
* Linebacker — Zach Thomas (Miami Dolphins)
* Defensive Back — Champ Bailey (Denver Broncos)

Special teams
* Special Teams Player — Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)

Coach
* Coach — Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints)

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.

;1978
:* Pete Rozelle
:* George Halas
:* Art Rooney

;1979
:* Paul Brown
:* Red Grange
:* Bronko Nagurski

;1980
:* Don Shula
:* Wellington Mara
:* Dominic Olejniczak
:* Pro Football Hall of Fame

;1981
:* Lamar Hunt
:* Tom Landry

;1982
:* Bill Bidwill
:* Alex Wojciechowicz
:* Bud Grant

;1983
:* F. William Harder
:* LeRoy Neiman

;1985
:* George Preston Marshall
:* Weeb Ewbank

;1986
:* Howard Cosell
:* Vince Lombardi
:* Vic Maitland

;1987
:* Ray Scott
:* Steve Sabol
:* Ed Sabol
:* Bert Bell

;1988
:* Raymond Berry

;1989
:* Tex Schramm

;1990
:* Bill Dudley
:* Ollie Matson
:* Steve Van Buren

;1991
:* Hugh McElhenny

;1992
:* Chuck Bednarik
:* Art Modell

;1993
:* Elroy Hirsch
:* Marion Motley

;1994
:* Sid Luckman
:* Sammy Baugh

;1995
:* Otto Graham
:* Chuck Noll

;1996
:* Johnny Unitas
:* Curt Gowdy

;1997
:* Pat Summerall
:* Ralph Wilson

;1998
:* Jim Brown
:* Al Davis

;1999
:* Bobby Mitchell
:* Paul Tagliabue

;2000
:* Len Dawson
:* Deacon Jones

;2001
:* Mike McCormack
:* Mel Renfro

;2002
:* Mel Blount
:* Jim Otto
:* Jim Tunney

;2003
:* Tom Flores
:* Willie Davis

;2004
:* Dick Vermeil
:* Val Pinchbeck
:* Don Weiss

;2005
:* Larry Wilson
:* Joe Greene

;2007
:* Sonny Jurgensen
:* Jack Youngblood

;2008
:* Eric Dickerson
:* John Madden
:* Alex Spanos

NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award

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

;1981
:* Rocky Bleier
:* Roger Staubach

;1982
:* Merlin Olsen
:* O. J. Simpson

;1983
:* George Blanda
:* Earl Morrall

;1985
:* Frank Gifford
:* Jack Kemp

;1986
:* Dan Fortmann
:* Ray Nitschke

;1987
:* Willie Davis
:* Don Hutson

;1988
:* Art Donovan

;1989
:* Bart Starr

;1990
:* Nick Buoniconti

;1992
:* Ken Farragut

;1993
:* Gino Marchetti

;1994
:* Byron White

;1995
:* Alan Page

;1996
:* Mike Reid

;1997
:* Jerry Richardson

;1998
:* Dr. Robert Khayat

;1999
:* Dr. Ed Sutton

;2000
:* Paul Salata

;2001
:* Terry Bradshaw

;2002
:* Steve Largent

;2003
:* Fred Dryer

;2004
:* Bob Griese

;2005
:* Drew Pearson

;2007
:* Mike Haynes

References

External links

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{{NFL

NFL trophies and awards
Sports professional associations based in the United States
Alumni associations
501(c)(3) organizations
Non-profit organizations based in New Jersey
Companies based in Newark, New Jersey
Sports in Newark, New Jersey
Sports organizations established in 1967