At the NFL Honors Awards ceremony on Thursday, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco clinched victory over Damar Hamlin, despite receiving fewer first-place votes. Flacco’s remarkable late-season performance with the Cleveland Browns ultimately earned him the prestigious accolade.
Damar Hamlin actually had more 1st place votes than Joe Flacco, but Flacco’s 2nd and 3rd place votes allowed him to win the award by 11 votes. pic.twitter.com/yOjEUNTRGJ
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 9, 2024
Flacco, who remained unsigned for much of the season, seized the opportunity in November when he joined the Browns amidst a quarterback injury crisis. The 39-year-old quarterback went on to achieve a 4-1 record down the stretch, amassing an impressive 1,616 yards passing and 13 touchdowns, leading the Browns to secure a playoff berth.
In his acceptance speech, Flacco expressed gratitude to his fellow nominees and winners, acknowledging the honor of being among such an exceptional group of individuals. He extended heartfelt thanks to the city of Cleveland and his teammates for warmly embracing him upon his arrival later in the season.
“I extend my congratulations to all the other nominees and winners tonight; you are truly a special group of men,” Flacco remarked. “I am deeply honored to share this moment with you all. A big thank you to the city of Cleveland, and to every individual there. I want to express my appreciation to my teammates for embracing me into the locker room during that point in the year. Welcoming a new player is no small feat.”
Meanwhile, Hamlin, who triumphed in the Professional Football Writers of America’s rendition of the award, made a remarkable return to the field following a life-threatening cardiac arrest incident during a game in January 2023. Despite his extraordinary journey back to playing, Hamlin secured the runner-up position in the AP Comeback Player of the Year contest.
