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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2006
COLTS AND BEARS DOMINATE ANNUAL NFL 101 AWARD SELECTIONS
Indianapolis sweeps all three AFC Awards; Manning becomes first person
(Kansas City, MO) – The Indianapolis Colts swept all three AFC categories and the Chicago Bears captured two of three NFC honors in balloting for the prestigious NFL 101 Awards, the nation’s only awards event dedicated exclusively to the National Football League. The Committee of 101 announced the winners today at a news conference in Kansas City. The Colts, who won their first 13 games and finished the regular season at 14-2, landed Tony Dungy as AFC Coach of the Year, quarterback Peyton Manning as AFC Offensive Player of the Year and defensive end Dwight Freeney as AFC Defensive Player of the Year. The Bears, whose worst-to-first turnaround of 5-11 to 11-5 captured the NFC North title, are represented by Lovie Smith as NFC Coach of the Year and linebacker Brian Urlacher as NFC Defensive Player of the Year. NFL rushing champion Shaun Alexander was voted as NFC Offensive Player of the Year. A national media committee, comprised of 101 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL, selected the top offensive player, defensive player and coach in the AFC and NFC. This salute to professional football is a black-tie event that was founded in 1969 and has become widely recognized as the most prestigious awards event throughout NFL circles. The event is produced and managed by Premier Sports Management, a sports marketing and events company headquartered in Kansas City. The Colts trio of Dungy, Manning and Freeney marks the first time in 22 years that one team claimed all three award categories in their conference. The last team to do it was the 1983 Washington Redskins when coach Joe Gibbs, quarterback Joe Theismann and defensive end Dave Butz combined for all three NFC awards. Manning has now captured the AFC Offensive Player of the Year award for three consecutive years, becoming the first person – player or coach – to accomplish the feat in the 36-year history of the awards. Having also won in 1999, Manning joins Dan Marino as the only players to have been selected four times. Only Dan Reeves, who has won five coach-of-the-year honors, has claimed more 101 awards than Manning. The six recipients will be presented with trophies at the 36th Annual NFL 101 Awards gala, presented by Legacy Investment Partners. The prestigious, multi-media awards show is scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City. “Our city is proud to host this prestigious awards event,” said Bill Nelson, Chairman of the Committee of 101. “The 101 Awards have become synonymous with the National Football League since the AFL-NFL merger. We salute the 2005 award winners – six individuals who have been selected from a league filled with players and coaches who are the best in the world at what they do.”
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