Retro Rider's questions about MVPs led to Arthur Daley Award

[JohnTurney]

However, they were recognized by at least one other organization:

1971 - Otis Taylor (also won UPI)
1972 - Earl Morrall (also won Sporting News)
1975 - Terry Bradshaw (also won Football News)

Bradshaw also won Miami Touchdown Club Award.

[Retro Rider]

Bradshaw also won Miami Touchdown Club Award.

Thanks for that. I've never seen a list of Miami TD winners (Namath in '68 where he made his famous guarantee). I'll have to re-check your Modern Years All- Pro book. Blanda's 1970 trophy was auctioned off a few years ago.

[JohnTurney]

...And his 1970 Kansas City 101 Club AFC Offensive POY trophy (had not seen one of those before):

The NEA Awards from 1972 and 1974 were similar but the figurine different, eventually they settled
on the Jim Thorpe mini statue for the Award that bore his name.

Maybe later will check to see what the earlier NEA Jim Thorpe Trophies look like.
Murray Olderman went all out...

[JohnTurney]

Tuesday, June 13, 2023
National 1000-Yard Club NFL's Outstanding Blocker of the Year—1964-77
By John Turney

In 1964 a newly formed civic club in Wisconsin began to honor all previous and future 1,000-yard rushers, beginning with Beattie Feathers through the 1964 season and then would honor any who surpassed the mark in subsequent years.

The running backs were presented a trophy like this—

More interesting, however, was the individual award presented to the top NFL lineman, called the Outstanding Blocker of the Year award.

It was voted on by writers and radio and television announcers - three per NFL city which was similar to the way UPI structure their panels.

Looking at the results they did a terrific job - ten of the thirteen individual winners are in the Hall of Fame and one of the 1973 winning group--the entire Bills line is in.

The Bills and Bears had all five share the award, the Bills for blocking for O.J. Simpson's 2003-yard 1973 season and the Bears for Walter Payton's 1977 MVP season, which was the final of 14 years the club gave out the award.

Winners received a trophy like this—

The winners—
National 1000-Yard Club
NFL Outstanding Blocker of the Year
1964—Jim Parker, Guard, Baltimore
1965—Forrest Gregg, Tackle, Green Bay
1966—Bob Brown, Tackle, Philadelphia
1967—Jerry Kramer, Guard, Green Bay
1968—Gene Hickerson, Guard, Cleveland
1969—Mick Tingelhoff, C, Minnesota
1970—Jim Otto, Center, Oakland
1971—Walt Sweeney, Guard, San Diego
1972—Larry Little, Guard, Miami
1973—Buffalo Bills, Offensive Line
1974—Ray Mansfield, Center, Pittsburgh
1975—Ron Yary, Tackle, Minnesota
1976—Gene Upshaw, Guard, Oakland & Len Hauss, Center, Washington
1977—Chicago Bears Offensive Line

[Bryan]

The winners—
National 1000-Yard Club
NFL Outstanding Blocker of the Year
1964—Jim Parker, Guard, Baltimore
1965—Forrest Gregg, Tackle, Green Bay
1966—Bob Brown, Tackle, Philadelphia
1967—Jerry Kramer, Guard, Green Bay
1968—Gene Hickerson, Guard, Cleveland
1969—Mick Tingelhoff, C, Minnesota
1970—Jim Otto, Center, Oakland
1971—Walt Sweeney, Guard, San Diego
1972—Larry Little, Guard, Miami
1973—Buffalo Bills, Offensive Line
1974—Ray Mansfield, Center, Pittsburgh
1975—Ron Yary, Tackle, Minnesota
1976—Gene Upshaw, Guard, Oakland & Len Hauss, Center, Washington
1977—Chicago Bears Offensive Line

Interesting stuff as always. Gregg winning the award in 1965 is weird, because he played more offensive guard that year than tackle. Ray Mansfield and Len Hauss weren't regulars for postseason honors, so seeing them on the list is noteworhty.