The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – “Highlight Hero” of the Year (Nominees)

Robert Griffin III, (Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America)

Robert Griffin III supplied some electrifying highlight reel moments in 2012, but others did as well.

Here are the Nominees for the 2013 Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards: Highlight Hero of the Year

Instead of Putting together an “All” Team like a lot people do every year, last year I decided to put together my own awards list.  Not necessarily awarding the best statistically in any given position, but awards that matter to me, and maybe to some of you.

The Awards Nominees have been announced.  I now review the nominees in each category throughout the playoffs, and then on Super Bowl Eve I will announce the winners.  Last year it was all based on my opinion, but since I got such a good response I will include a poll on each review, and see who the “fans” think should win.  The poll results won’t be revealed until the winner is announced.

So here are the NOMINEES for the second annual 2013 Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards “Highlight Hero” of the year.

The “Highlight Hero” of the Year:  No, this award does not go to the top women’s wrestler, it goes to the most petulant, tempestuous, out of control player of the year.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Dez Bryant, WR – Dallas Cowboys:  Bryant improved considerably over last season, and in 2012 he emerged into a star for the Cowboys.

• A.J. Green, WR – Cincinnati Bengals:  A.J. Green continued his ascension to becoming one of the top WR in the game in 2012.

• Robert Griffin III, QB – Washington Redskins:  RGIII electrified the NFL in his first game against the Saints and continued to electrify for the rest of the season.

• Adrian Peterson, RB – Minnesota Vikings:  Peterson averaged an astounding six yards a carry in 2012, and many of those were on some highlight reel runs.

Last Years winner:  Calvin Johnson, WR – Detroit Lions

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The other Award Category Nominees

The “Don’t You know Who I am? – Diva” of the Year:  No, this award does not go to the top women’s wrestler, it goes to the most petulant, tempestuous, out of control player of the year.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Rashard Mendenhall, RB – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Chad Johnson, WR – Miami Dolphins
• Ndamukong Suh, DT – Detroit Lions

Last Years winner:  Albert Haynesworth

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“Enforcer” of the year:  Goes to the defender, that strikes the most fear into NFL Offenses.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Von Miller, LB – Denver Broncos
• Aldon Smith, LB – San Francisco 49ers
• J.J. Watt, DE – Houston Texans

Last Years winner:  Terrell Suggs, LB – Baltimore Ravens

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The “Lazarus” Award:  Goes to the player or coach whose career seemed to be in jeopardy, but now is rejuvenated after a successful season.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Peyton Manning, QB – Denver Broncos
• Chuck Pagano, HC – Indianapolis Colts
• Adrian Peterson, RB – Minnesota Vikings

Last Years winner:  Alex Smith, QB – San Francisco 49ers

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The “Talk the Talk / Walk the Walk” Award:  Goes to the player, who not only talks a good game, but also walks it, and lived up to his hype.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Richard Sherman, CB – Seattle Seahawks
• Wes Welker, WR – New England Patriots
• Roddy White, WR – Atlanta Falcons

Last Years winner:  Arian Foster, RB – Houston Texans

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The “Don’t Believe the Hype” Award:  Goes to the player who came into the season with a lot of hype, but didn’t quite live up to it.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Trent Richardson, RB – Cleveland Browns
• Michael Vick, QB – Philadelphia Eagles
• Mario Williams, DE – Buffalo Bills

Last Years winner:  Chad Johnson, WR

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The “They WEREN’T What We Thought They Were” Award: Goes to the team who failed to live up their hype the most.   And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Detroit Lions
• New York Giants
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Years winner:  Philadelphia Eagles

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The “There’s that Man Again” Award:  Goes to the player who you never heard of, that’s suddenly all over the field making plays, and you wonder why he’s not on your team.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Stevie Brown, S – New York Giants
• Alfred Morris, RB – Washington Redskins
• Russell Wilson, QB – Seattle Seahawks

Last Years winner:  Victor Cruz, WR – New York Giants

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The “I – in TEAM” Award:  Goes to the player who had the best Individual season on a bad team.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Jamaal Charles, RB – Kansas City Chiefs
• Calvin Johnson, WR – Detroit Lions
• Patrick Peterson, CB – Arizona Cardinals

Last Years winner:  Jared Allen, DE – Minnesota Vikings

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The “REAL” Coach of the year Award:  Typically this award goes to the coach who over achieved the most, or the coach whose team dominated the league.  But this award goes to the Coach who actually did the best coaching job this season.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Bruce Arians – Indianapolis Colts
• Pete Carroll – Seattle Seahawks
• Chuck Pagano – Indianapolis Colts

Last Years winner:  Jim Harbaugh – San Francisco 49ers

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The “FAN ON FIRE” Football Player of the Year:  Goes to the player who had the hottest performance throughout the season.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Peyton Manning, QB – Denver Broncos
• Adrian Peterson, RB – Minnesota Vikings
• Matt Ryan, QB – Atlanta Falcons
• J.J. Watt, DE – Houston Texans

Last Years winner:  Aaron Rodgers, QB – Green Bay Packers

AND THE MOST COVETED AWARD OF ALL:

The “Fans on Fire” – Fan base of the Year Award:  Goes to the most dedicated and “FIRED” up Fan Base in the NFL.

• Colts Nation – Indianapolis Colts
• Cowboys Nation – Dallas Cowboys
• Seahawks Nation – Seattle Seahawks

Last Years winner:  Broncos Nation – Denver Broncos

Related articles

• The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – (Nominees) (fanonfiresportswire.com)
• The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – “Diva of the Year” (Nominees) (fanonfiresportswire.com)