Chiefs' Berry (comeback), Peters (defensive rookie) win NFL awards
SAN FRANCISCO --At one point, Kansas City safety Eric Berry's eyes well with tears. He paused before accepting The Associate Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
"Everybody, just live out your dreams. Don't let anything come in between," Berry said in an emotionally charged speech. "I'm truly honored, truly blessed, truly thankful to be standing here before you all. ... It was some tough times. It was some times where I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. ... There was a lot of rough times, a lot of rough nights, a lot of lonely nights."
And now, a rewarding night.
Berry missed 10 games in the 2014 season battling lymphoma, then returned to the Chiefs to become an All-Pro. His inspirational story and superb performance on the field earned him 38 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who regularly cover the NFL.
Berry's teammate, cornerback Marcus Peters, took Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Peters tied for the league lead with eight interceptions in helping the Chiefs make the playoffs. He received 45 votes.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was named The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards Saturday night.
"It means so much, but not just for myself," Newton said in a video acceptance speech for the MVP award. "To be the first person in Panthers history to win it -- that's what I'm most proud about. I've received a lot of awards, but to be able to get this organization here, I'm really proud. We didn't get in this position by happenstance. It took years of hard work and dedication, and now we are reaping the benefits."
Newton was not on hand at NFL Honors because he is kind of busy preparing for a little game on Sunday against Denver. But just as he has for much of the week -- for most of the season, really -- Newton still was a dominant figure.
Newton was a landslide choice for MVP with 48 votes. Fellow QBs Tom Brady and Carson Palmer each received one vote.
Newton earned 18 votes for top offensive player. Steelers receiver Antonio Brown was next with 10.
Coach Ron Rivera led the Panthers to an unprecedented third straight NFC South title and two playoff victories. In a season featuring several outstanding coaching jobs, Rivera easily outdistanced the field. He received 36 1/2 votes, far in front of Kansas City's Andy Reid with six votes.
Another outstanding player, Houston end J.J. Watt, won his third Defensive Player of the Award in five pro seasons. He also won it in 2012 and last year, when he was a unanimous choice.
This time, in tying Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor as the only players to take the award three times, Watt earned 37 votes.
"It's almost difficult to comprehend because I've only been in the league five years," Watt said. "So to think about where I've come from and where I am now and what lies ahead, those type of things it almost doesn't register because of the greatness of the guys that have come before me. So to even be considered amongst those guys is truly incredible. But I mean that's what the goal is. The goal is to come out here and try to be one of the best ever."
Rams running back Todd Gurley took Offensive Rookie of the Year with 27 votes, well ahead of the 17 for Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston, the first overall pick in last year's draft. Gurley missed the first two games of 2015, then went on a tear that included four straight 100-yard rushing performances: 146, 159, 128 and 133 yards. He finished the season third in league rushing and scored 10 touchdowns.
His voice cracked with emotion as he mentioned coming back from his ACL injury. And at the end of his speech, he referenced the Rams' impending move from St. Louis to Los Angeles.
"I just want to say something to the St. Louis fans: I know you all might be disappointed that we might be leaving but, you know, it's out of our control," Gurley said.
Wade Phillips' work in turning the Denver defense into the stingiest in the NFL got him the Assistant Coach of the Year award. The Broncos ranked first overall and against the pass, third versus the run.
San Francisco receiver Anquan Boldin received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for his off-field work.
