NFL Alumni

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The NFL Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of former National Football League (NFL) players, coaches, team staff members, and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in service initiatives to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth." It was founded in 1967, but the organization was revitalized and restructured under the leadership of Vic Maitland, who became its first full-time CEO in 1977.{{cite news |last=Nobles |first=Charlie |title='Corporation doctor' tries to bring NFL Alumni to life |work=The Miami News |date=February 28, 1978}}

Maitland, a former player and marketing executive, reorganized the NFL Alumni into a charitable and educational institution and relocated its headquarters to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He worked for a symbolic salary of $1 per year and personally contributed nearly $1 million to keep the organization afloat during its early years.{{cite news |last=Wine |first=Steven |title=Maitland loves his $1-a-year job |work=News Tribune |date=June 26, 1988}}{{cite news |title=NFL Alumni now thriving |work=The Repository (Canton, OH) |date=June 26, 1988}}

Under Maitland’s leadership, the NFL Alumni expanded to more than 30 active chapters and launched many signature programs, including:

- The Charity Golf Classic Tour (established in 1979), the cornerstone of its fundraising efforts.{{cite news |last=Cote |first=Greg |title=NFL Alumni Goal Is Helping Others |work=The Miami Herald |date=December 30, 1977}}

- The Player of the Year Awards Dinner (begun in 1982), honoring top players and coaches by votes cast from former players.

- The NFL Alumni Ring, a distinctive gold and sapphire piece introduced in the early 1980s.{{cite news |title=Help Us, Help Others |work=NFL Alumni Membership Flyer |date=1981}}

- The NFL Alumni Gold Blazer tradition, first awarded in 1978 to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees as part of their ceremonial recognition.{{cite news |title=Gold Blazers |work=NFL Alumni Legends |date=1988}}

- The Pro Legends Speakers Bureau, which books retired players for public

2011 NFL Alumni Player of the Year winners

Quarterback – Matthew Stafford (Lions)
Running Back – Maurice Jones-Drew, (Jaguars)
Wide Receiver – Hakeem Nicks, (Giants)
Lineman - Chris Long, (Rams)
Linebacker – Aldon Smith, (49ers)
Defensive Back – Brent Grimes, (Falcons)
Player of the Year - Maurice Jones-Drew, (Jaguars)
Lifetime Achievement - Randall Cunningham{{cite press release|title=Maurice Jones-Drew Named Alumni's Player of the Year|publisher=NFL Alumni|date=February 8, 2012|url=http://www.nflalumniplayers.com/press/maurice-jones-drew-named-alumnis-player-year|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120908052939/http://www.nflalumniplayers.com/press/maurice-jones-drew-named-alumnis-player-year|archivedate=September 8, 2012|access-date=March 22, 2012}}

2010 Player of the Year winners

Offense

Quarterback – Philip Rivers, (Chargers)
Running Back – Maurice Jones-Drew, (Jaguars)
Wide Receiver – Roddy White, (Falcons)
Tight End – Jason Witten, (Cowboys)
Offensive Lineman – Josh Sitton, (Packers)

Defense

Defensive Lineman – Ndamukong Suh, (Lions)
Linebacker – Patrick Willis, (49ers)
Defensive Back – Aqib Talib, (Buccaneers)

Special teams

Special Teams Player – Devin Hester, (Bears)

Overall

Player of the Year - Troy Polamalu, (Steelers)

Coach

Coach – Todd Haley, (Chiefs)

:Source:{{cite web|title=NFL Alumni Names Winners of 2010 Player of the Year Awards|work=NFLAlumni.org|date=February 5, 2011|url=http://www.nflalumni.org/ArticleDetails/tabid/94/ArticleID/75/Default.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208162609/http://www.nflalumni.org/ArticleDetails/tabid/94/ArticleID/75/Default.aspx|archivedate=2011-02-08|access-date=2011-02-09|url-status=dead}}

2009 Player of the Year winners

Offense

Quarterback – Drew Brees, (Saints)
Running Back – Chris Johnson, (Titans)
Wide Receiver – Andre Johnson, (Texans)
Tight End – Dallas Clark, (Colts)
Offensive Lineman – Steve Hutchinson, (Vikings)

Defense

Defensive Lineman – Jared Allen, (Vikings)
Pass Rusher – Elvis Dumervil, (Broncos)
Linebacker – Patrick Willis, (49ers)
Defensive Back – Charles Woodson, (Packers)

Special teams

Special Teams Player – Joshua Cribbs, (Browns)

Coach

Coach – Sean Payton, (Saints)

2008 Player of the Year Awards

Offense

Quarterback — Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)
Running Back — Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
Wide Receiver — Andre Johnson(Houston Texans)
Tight End — Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)
Offensive Lineman — Alan Faneca (New York Jets)

Defense

Defensive Lineman — Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee Titans)
Pass Rusher — DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys)
Linebacker — James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Defensive Back — Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens)

Special teams

Special Teams Player — Leon Washington (New York Jets)

Coach

Coach — Tony Sparano (Miami Dolphins)

2007 Player of the Year winners

Offense

Quarterback — Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
Running Back — Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles)
Wide Receiver — Randy Moss (New England Patriots)
Tight End — Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)
Offensive Linemen — Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis Colts)

Defense

Defensive Lineman — Mario Williams (Houston Texans)
Pass Rusher — Jared Allen (Kansas City Chiefs)
Linebacker — Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)
Defensive Back — Antonio Cromartie (San Diego Chargers)

Special teams

Special Teams Player — Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)

Coach

Coach — Mike McCarthy (Green Bay Packers)

2006 Player of the Year winners

Offense

Quarterback — Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)
Running Back — LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers)
Wide Receiver — Andre Johnson (Houston Texans)
Tight End — Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens)
Offensive Lineman — Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota Vikings)

Defense

Defensive Lineman — Jason Taylor (Miami Dolphins)
Pass Rusher — Aaron Kampman (Green Bay Packers)
Linebacker — Zach Thomas (Miami Dolphins)
Defensive Back — Champ Bailey (Denver Broncos)

Special teams

Special Teams Player — Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)

Coach

Coach — Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints)

In addition to the Player of the Year Awards, the NFL Alumni also honors past or current players with its Spirit Award for youth-oriented community service, Order of the Leather Helmet Award for individuals who "have made significant contributions to the game of professional football" and the Career Achievement Award given to those "whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization." The winner of the 2010 Spirit Award was Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones.{{cite web |title=Jones Honored With NFL Alumni Assoc. "Spirit Award" |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/jones-honored-with-nfl-alumni-assoc-spirit-award/2124488/ |website=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |access-date=6 June 2024 |date=13 January 2011}}