As Tremendous Bowl LX weekend kicked off, the NFL bought an early jolt of pleasure from the fifteenth annual NFL Honors ceremony, which aired reside Thursday night time on NBC and Peacock.
The star-studded occasion set the tone for the times main as much as The Massive Sport, bringing collectively gamers, legends, and celebrities to have a good time the league’s standout performers.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford emerged as this 12 months’s MVP throughout a ceremony that blended heartfelt moments with lighthearted enjoyable. From Stafford’s candy pink carpet look alongside his household to the emotional “In Memoriam” tribute honoring late NFL icons, the night struck a steadiness between celebration and reflection.
With Jon Hamm on the helm as host, the ambiance stayed full of life all through the night time. Well-known presenters mingled with Corridor of Fame greats — together with Druski and Steve Younger — as they handed out honors recognizing high contributors from the 2025–2026 NFL season.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who’s headed to the Tremendous Bowl, earned his second Coach of the 12 months award. In the meantime, Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner obtained the celebrated Walter Payton Man of the 12 months Award, which honors excellence each on and off the sector.
All of the 2026 award winners on the fifteenth annual NFL Honors
MVP — Matthew Stafford (QB), Los Angeles Rams
Coach of the 12 months — Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
Comeback Participant of the 12 months — Christian McCaffrey (RB), San Francisco 49ers
Offensive Participant of the 12 months — Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR), Seattle Seahawks
Defensive Participant of the 12 months — Myles Garrett (DE), Cleveland Browns
Offensive Rookie of the 12 months — Tetairoa McMillan (WR), Carolina Panthers
Defensive Rookie of the 12 months — Carson Schwesinger (LB), Cleveland Browns
Assistant Coach of the 12 months — Josh McDaniels (OC), New England Patriots
Protector of the 12 months — Joe Thuney (G), Chicago Bears
Throughout the ceremony, Druski took the stage to current the Offensive Participant of the 12 months award. Whereas asserting Jaxon Smith-Njigba because the winner, he repeatedly mispronounced the huge receiver’s final title on reside tv.
The second sparked backlash from throughout the Seahawks group, with some expressing concern that the error detracted from Smith-Njigba’s accomplishment. The receiver was not current on the occasion and accepted the award by way of a pre-recorded video, so he was not on stage on the time.
As clips of the second unfold on-line, Druski addressed the scenario on social media after the present. He claimed he had not been given correct steerage on how one can pronounce Smith-Njigba’s title beforehand.
Druski wrote, “NOBODY TOLD ME HOW TO PRONOUNCE ‘Jaxon Smith-Njigba’ CONGRATS THOUGH!”
Along with recognizing the season’s high performers, NFL Honors additionally revealed the latest members of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. The 2026 class was introduced reside throughout Thursday’s broadcast and will probably be formally inducted forward of the 2026–2027 season on the annual ceremony in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, August 8.
Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame NFL class of 2026
Drew Brees (QB)
Roger Craig (RB)
Larry Fitzgerald (WR)
Luke Kuechly (LB)
Adam Vinatieri (kicker)
With NFL Honors now within the books, consideration turns to Tremendous Bowl Sunday, when the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will face off on February 8 in Tremendous Bowl LX. Protection begins at 1 p.m. ET throughout NBC and Peacock, adopted by the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. ET and kickoff from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Hit the flip to see the remainder of the night time’s pink carpet arrivals:
