American Football Database
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From 1960 to 1969, the United Press International (UPI) gave the annual AFL Player of the Year award in the American Football League, whose teams in 1970 became the American Football Conference (AFC) of the new National Football League (NFL).

From 1970 — following the AFL-NFL merger — until 1996, UPI then gave two annual player of the year awards. One was given in the National Football Conference (NFC) of the new NFL. The other award was given in the American Football Conference (AFC) of the new NFL.[1]

AFL Player of the Year[]

Season Player Team Position
1960 Abner Haynes Dallas Texans Halfback
1961 George Blanda Houston Oilers Quarterback
1962 Cookie Gilchrist Buffalo Bills Fullback
1963 Lance Alworth San Diego Chargers Flanker
1964 Gino Cappelletti Boston Patriots Flanker, kicker
1965 Paul Lowe San Diego Chargers Halfback
1966 Jim Nance Boston Patriots Fullback
1967 Daryle Lamonica Oakland Raiders Quarterback
1968 Joe Namath New York Jets Quarterback
1969 Daryle Lamonica Oakland Raiders Quarterback

AFC Player of the Year[]

Season Player Team Position
1970 George Blanda Oakland Raiders Quarterback, kicker
1971 Otis Taylor Kansas City Chiefs Wide receiver
1972 O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Running back
1973 O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Running back
1974 Ken Stabler Oakland Raiders Quarterback
1975 Off: O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Running back
Def: Mel Blount Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback
1976 Off: Bert Jones Baltimore Colts Quarterback
Def: Jack Lambert Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker
1977 Off: Craig Morton Denver Broncos Quarterback
Def: Lyle Alzado Denver Broncos Defensive end
1978 Off: Earl Campbell[2] Houston Oilers Running back
Def: Randy Gradishar Denver Broncos Linebacker
1979 Off: Dan Fouts San Diego Chargers Quarterback
Def: Jack Lambert Pittsburgh Steelers Linbebacker
1980 Off: Brian Sipe Cleveland Browns Quarterback
Def: Lester Hayes Oakland Raiders Cornerback
1981 Off: Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback
Def: Joe Klecko New York Jets Defensive end
1982 Off: Dan Fouts San Diego Chargers Quarterback
Def: No award - -
1983 Off: Curt Warner Seattle Seahawks Running back
Def: Rod Martin Los Angeles Raiders Linebacker
1984 Off: Dan Marino Miami Dolphins Quarterback
Def: Mark Gastineau New York Jets Defensive end
1985 Off: Marcus Allen Los Angeles Raiders Running back
Def: Andre Tippett New England Patriots Linebacker
1986 Off: Curt Warner Seattle Seahawks Running back
Def: Rulon Jones Denver Broncos Defensive end
1987 Off: John Elway Denver Broncos Quarterback
Def: Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive end
1988 Off: Boomer Esiason Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback
Def: Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive end
Def: Cornelius Bennett Buffalo Bills Linebacker
1989 Off: Christian Okoye Kansas City Chiefs Running back
Def: Michael Dean Perry Cleveland Browns Nose tackle
1990 Off: Warren Moon Houston Oilers Quarterback
Def: Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive end
1991 Off: Thurman Thomas Buffalo Bills Running back
Def: Cornelius Bennett Buffalo Bills Linebacker
1992 Off: Barry Foster Pittsburgh Steelers Running back
Def: Junior Seau San Diego Chargers Linebacker
1993 Off: John Elway Denver Broncos Quarterback
Def: Rod Woodson Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback
1994 Off: Dan Marino Miami Dolphins Quarterback
Def: Greg Lloyd Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker
1995 Off: Jim Harbaugh Indianapolis Colts Quarterback
Def: Bryce Paup Buffalo Bills Linebacker
1996 Off: Terrell Davis Denver Broncos Running back
Def: Bruce Smith Buffalo Bills Defensive end

References[]

  1. Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. Bob Carroll. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780062701749. pg. 389.
  2. "Earl Campbell Collects AFC Player Of Year Crown". The Galveston Daily News. United Press International: p. 11. December 29, 1978. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9684920/earl_campbell_collects_afc_player_of/. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
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