Photographed for the Kansas City Chiefs
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Backstory:
“Following each National Football League season, a civic organization called “The Committee of 101” hosts the 101 Awards, Kansas City’s Salute to Professional Football. This nationally-renowned event was initiated in 1969 by a group headed by Kansas City businessman Jack O. Wheeler to honor outstanding achievements in professional football.
Each year, 101 members of the national media select the Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year in the American Football Conference and National Football Conference.
Beginning in 2008, the 101 added the Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football to honor the life and legacy of the late owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. This award is now the concluding presentation at the 101 awards gala each year.
The reputation and prestige of the 101 Awards is widely recognized throughout the NFL. From the coaches and players who are honored each year, to team owners and league executives who lead the NFL business affairs, the 101 is regarded as the nation’s best football awards event of its kind.”
-101awards.com
Award Recipients:
Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football
Awarded to the late John Madden (accepted by his son, Mike Madden)
AFC
AFC Coach of the Year: Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid
AFC Offensive Player of the Year: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (Did not attend)
AFC Defensive Player of the Year: Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones
NFC
NFC Coach of the Year: New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll
NFC Offensive Player of the Year: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts
NFC Defensive Player of the Year: San Francisco 49ers edge Nick Bosa (Did not attend)
Click here to see a full list of previous award winners
Night of Event
The 53rd annual 101 Award were held at The Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri on February 25, 2023.
The evening started with a press conference where award recipients were able to speak to the media.
Following the press conference, guests at the event were able to visit with the award recipients and other guests in a cocktail hour. Many former Chiefs legends were also in attendance.
Once the cocktail hour concluded, guests were ushered into the ballroom for dinner and the main event.
On stage NFL Reporter James Palmer and ESPN Reporter Laura Rutledge served as the show hosts. Palmer and Rutledge interviewed the award recipients in a lightehearted and casual way while all the guests in the audience watched.
After all of the AFC/NFC award recipients were honored on stage, the hosts introduced the Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football recipient, John Madden. John Madden sadly passed away in December of 2021 so on behalf of John Madden, his son Mike accepted his award.
To learn more about the 101 Awards please click HERE
Click to enlarge photos!
All photos © Andrew Mather | Kansas City Chiefs
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