New Award Created To Honor Top NFL Offensive Lineman Will Debut In 2025
They are the big, burly guys who don’t usually do a lot of talking. Their main focus is on protecting their quarterback. It’s a tough, often thankless job but somebody has to do it. No one ever mentions them until they aren’t doing their job because it becomes quite noticeable. If a quarterback is constantly running for his life or getting sacked then everyone notices the offensive line. But when they are good at their jobs they fade into obscurity. But not so anymore, as a new award has been created to honor the top NFL offensive lineman which will debut in 2025.
Former 16-year veteran Andrew Whitworth was one of the people who dreamed of making the award a reality. The retired four-time Pro Bowler who’s now part of the Prime Video Thursday Night Football crew, believed it was time for the highest level of the game to recognize offensive linemen at year’s end. Whitworth stated:
“Having an award like this would let an individual stand up there as the best of the best. Every young kid in high school that may be teetering as to whether he wants to be an offensive lineman or not can say, ‘Wow, look at [the San Francisco 49ers’] Trent Williams. Look at [the Philadelphia Eagles’] Lane Johnson. It’s an inspiration to want to be great.”
Initially, Whitworth thought the award might be called “Shield Award” but that was a working title. Instead it will be known as the Protector of the Year award. The honor will be decided upon by a panel that includes a number of former standout NFL linemen. This award is important because offensive linemen never win the MVP, Offensive Player of the Year or even Comeback Player of the Year. Now the Protector of the Year award will shine a light on the most overlooked, yet essential position in the sport.
New Award Created To Honor Top NFL Offensive Lineman Will Debut In 2025
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent spoke about the award today at the Spring League Meeting. He said:
“I’m going to give credit to Dion Dawkins from Buffalo. He was truly instrumental, him and Andrew Whitworth, of just making sure that we recognize the big fellas. LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O’Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Andrew Whitworth will be the panel. … They’ve come up with a criteria on skills, metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of the opponent. We’ll be tracking that quarterly with this group.”
We wish a hearty congratulations to all the big fellas on their newly created award. It will be fun to see who wins the award first, can’t wait to find out!
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