The National Football League Comeback Player of the Year Award refers to a number of awards that are given to an National Football League (NFL) player who has shown perseverance in overcoming adversity, in the form of not being in the NFL the previous year, a severe injury, or simply poor performance. The awards have been presented by several organizations, including the Associated Press (AP), Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association (PFW/PFWA), Sporting News, and United Press International (UPI).
1963 Jim Martin, K, Baltimore Colts (NFL); Paul Lowe, RB, San Diego 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 (tie) Tedy Bruschi, LB, New England
2005 (tie) Steve Smith, WR, Carolina
2006 Chad Pennington, QB, New York Jets
2007 Greg Ellis, LB, Dallas
2008 Chad Pennington (2), QB, Miami
2009 Tom Brady, QB, New England
2010 Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia
2011 Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit
2012 Peyton Manning, QB, Denver
2013 Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego
2014 Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England
2015 Eric Berry, S, Kansas City
2016 Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay
From 1972 to 1991, the Comeback Player of the Year award was presented by Pro Football Weekly (PFW) only. PFW and the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) combined their awards from 1992–2012.
In 1962, United Press International (UPI) 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, the Associated Press (AP) established a similar award. UPI discontinued the award after 1963, with the exception of 1969. The AP did not give out the award from 1967 to 1998, when the award was reinstituted and given to Doug Flutie.
1962 Frank Gifford, WR, New York Giants
1963 Ed Brown, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
1964–1968 No award given
1969 Gale Sayers, RB, Chicago Bears
2008 – Antonio Bryant, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2009 – Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans
2010 – Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
2011 – Plaxico Burress, WR, New York Jets
2012 – Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
2013 – Darrelle Revis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014 – Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots
2015 – Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals
