NFL 101 names Troy Polamalu AFC Defensive Player of the Year
Thursday, January 13, 2011
By Ed Bouchette , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11013/1117778-100.stm
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Troy Polamalu strips the ball from Ravens QB Joe Flacco, setting up the go-ahead TD late in a 13-10 victory Dec. 5 -- a win that ultimately decided the division.
The first award is in for the season and the NFL 101 Awards have named Troy Polamalu as its AFC Defensive Player of the Year.
The 101, headquartered in Kansas City, has issued NFL awards for 41 years.
A national media committee, comprised of 101 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL, selected the winners in each award category in a nationwide vote at the conclusion of the regular season.
Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews was named NFC defensive player of the year.
Other awards went to coaches of the year in the AFC, Kansas City's Todd Haley, and NFC, Atlanta's Mike Smith; and offensive player of the year in the AFC, New England's Tom Brady, and NFC, Philadelphia's Michael Vick.