NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award

undefinedThe NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972 (except for 1985) by Pro Football Weekly. The player named Comeback Player of the Year shows perseverance in overcoming adversity, in the form of not being in the NFL the previous year, a severe injury, or simply poor performance. Beginning in 1992 the Pro Football Writers of America and Pro Football Weekly combined for their awards, including the comeback player of the year, and it continues to this day.

In 1962 the United Press International chose a comeback player for the first time, the winner Frank Gifford, had made a comeback from a devastating injury from a hit by Chuck Bednarik. The following year, 1963, the Associated Press instituted a similar award. UPI discontinued the award after 1963 with the exception of 1969 and the Associated Press did not give out the award from 1967 to 1998, when the award was re-instituted and given to Doug Flutie.

Professional Football Writers of America/Pro Football Weekly winners
(Prior to 1992, all awards were selected by PFW only)

United Press International Winners

 * 1962 Frank Gifford, WR, New York Giants
 * 1963 Ed Brown, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
 * 1964-1968 No award given
 * 1969 Gale Sayers, RB, Chicago Bears

Associated Press winners

 * 1963 Jim Martin, K, Baltimore Colts (NFL); Paul Lowe, RB, San Diegeo Chargers (AFL)
 * 1964 Lenny Moore, RB, Baltimore Colts (NFL); Abner Haynes, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (AFL)
 * 1965 John Brodie, QB, San Francisco 49ers (NFL); Paul Lowe, RB, San Diego Chargers (AFL)
 * 1966 Dick Bass, RB, Los Angeles Rams (NFL); Babe Parilli, QB, Boston Patriots (AFL)
 * 1967-1997 No award given
 * 1998 Doug Flutie, QB, Buffalo
 * 1999 Bryant Young, DT, San Francisco
 * 2000 Joe Johnson, DE, New Orleans
 * 2001 Garrison Hearst, RB, San Francisco
 * 2002 Tommy Maddox, QB, Pittsburgh
 * 2003 Jon Kitna, QB, Cincinnati
 * 2004 Drew Brees, QB, San Diego
 * 2005 Tedy Bruschi, LB, New England and Steve Smith, WR, Carolina
 * 2006 Chad Pennington, QB, New York Jets
 * 2007 Greg Ellis, LB, Dallas
 * 2008 Chad Pennington, QB, Miami
 * 2009 Tom Brady, QB, New England

Sporting News winners

 * 2008 Antonio Bryant, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 * 2009 Vince Young, Tennessee Titans