NFL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Things You Can Never Lay Your Hands On 
by John Turney

Beginning in 1955 the Sporting News began awarding NFL executives an award for outstanding work in assembling and building a team. However, they abruptly ended the award after only two seasons. Then, in 1972, they began giving the award again and did so through 2012. In 1993 the Pro Football Writers of America began voting for the same award.

Recent Hall of Fame inductee Bill Polian appears numerous times. Ron Wolf, only once, however, he has likely received votes from his various stops in his NFL journey.

If this is any indication two-time Hall of Fame finalist George Young will be strongly considered for the "contributor" spot in 2016, and if not 2016 then soon thereafter. Hall of Fame contributors Jim Finks and Tex Schramm and Art Rooney and Dan Rooney also appear on these lists as recognition for their contributions to their success as administrators.

NFL Executive of the Year   Sporting News     Pro Football Writers Association 1955- Dan Reeves, Los Angeles Rams  No award 1956- George Halas, Chicago Bears  No award 1972- Dan Rooney, Pittsburgh  No award 1973- Jim Finks, Minnesota  No award 1974- Art Rooney, Pittsburgh  No award 1975- Joe Thomas, Baltimore Colts  No award 1976- Al Davis, Oakland  No award 1977- Tex Schramm, Dallas  No award 1978- John Thompson, Seattle  No award 1979- John Sanders, San Diego  No award 1980- Eddie LeBaron, Atlanta  No award 1981- Paul Brown, Cincinnati  No award 1982- Bobby Beathard, Washington  No award 1983- Bobby Beathard, Washington  No award 1984- George Young, New York Giants  No award 1985- Mike McCaskey, Chicago Bears  No award 1986- George Young, New York Giants  No award 1987- Jim Finks, New Orleans  No award 1988- Bill Polian, Buffalo  No award 1989- John McVay, San Francisco  No award 1990- George Young, New York Giants  No award 1991- Bill Polian, Buffalo  No award 1992- Ron Wolf, Green Bay  No award 1993- George Young, New York Giants George Young, New York Giants 1994- Carmen Policy, San Francisco Carmen Policy, San Francisco 49ers 1995- Bill Polian, Carolina Bill Polian, Carolina Panthers 1996- Bill Polian, Carolina Bill Polian, Carolina Panthers 1997- George Young, New York Giants George Young, New York Giants 1998- Jeff Diamond, Minnesota Front Office, Minnesota Vikings 1999- Bill Polian, Indianapolis Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts 2000- Randy Mueller, New Orleans Randy Mueller, New Orleans Saints 2001- Dan Rooney, Pittsburgh Charley Armey, St. Louis Rams 2002- Bruce Allen, Oakland Al Davis, Oakland Raiders 2003- Scott Pioli, New England Scott Pioli, New England Patriots 2004- Scott Pioli, New England A.J. Smith, San Diego Chargers 2005- Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts 2006- Mickey Loomis, New Orleans Mickey Loomis, New Orleans Saints 2007- Ted Thompson, Green Bay Scott Pioli, New England Patriots 2008- Thomas Dimitroff, Atlanta Bill Parcells, Miami Dolphins 2009- Bill Polian, Indianapolis Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts 2010- Thomas Dimitroff, Atlanta Scott Pioli, Kansas City Chiefs 2011- Ted Thompson, Green Bay Trent Baalke, San Francisco 49ers 2012- Ryan Grigson, Indianapolis Ryan Grigson, Indianapolis Colts 2013- No award John Dorsey, Kansas City Chiefs 2014- Steve Keim, Arizona Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys 2015- David Gettleman,  Carolina Mike Maccagnan, New York Jets 2016-Reggie McKenzie , Oakland             Reggie McKenzie, Oakland Raiders 2017-Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles 2018-Ryan Pace, Chicago Chris Ballard, Indianapolis Colts

Sources: Pro Football Writers of America and Sporting News.