The recipients of the annual NFL 101 Awards were announced on Thursday and two of the recipients are former assistants for the Chiefs and Rams. Colts head coach Tony Dungy, who was a defensive backs coach for the Chiefs from 1989-1991, was named the AFC Coach of the year. Two of his players, quarterback Peyton Manning and defensive end Dwight Freeney, were named the AFC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.
Dungy came to Kansas City a year before new Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards arrived as a scout. When Dungy left after the 1991 season, Edwards took over his job as the defensive backs coach. They were reunited when Edwards joined Dungy’s staff in Tampa Bay
The NFC Coach of the Year is Bears head coach, and former Rams defensive coordinator, Lovie Smith. The NFC Offensive Player of the Year is Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
The awards are voted on by 101 sportswriters and broadcasters. The NFL 101 Banquet will be held in Kansas City on March 4.
