NFL Honors Night: MVP winner, Bill Belichick's girlfriend and more
Patrick Mahomes speaks ahead of Super Bowl LIX
Superstar QB Patrick Mahomes speaks ahead of Super Bowl LIX. This Sunday Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in matchup that could put his team in the history books. The big game is set to take place at New Orleans's Superdome.
NEW ORLEANS - Josh Allen beat Lamar Jackson for the NFL's Most Valuable Player award in a bit of a surprise at the NFL Honors Night ceremony Thursday.
The ceremony, held in New Orleans ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl, featured the announcement of The Associated Press’ annual awards, the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and the Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
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But perhaps the biggest talker to come out of this year’s event was 72-year-old Bill Belichick and his girlfriend, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson. Their appearance at the red carpet event has sparked engagement rumors, despite their 48-year age gap.
Who won NFL MVP?
Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld attend the 14th Annual NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Josh Allen beat out two-time winner Lamar Jackson for the Most Valuable Player award in the closest race since Matt Ryan beat out Tom Brady in 2016.
Allen, who led Buffalo to a fifth straight AFC East title, got 27 first-place votes to Jackson’s 23 and finished with 383 points. He received 22 second-place votes and one third.
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Jackson, who led the Ravens to a second straight AFC North championship, got 26 second-place votes and one fourth for a total of 362 points.
Barkley finished third (120 points) followed by Burrow (82) and Lions QB Jared Goff (47).
By the numbers:
Allen threw for 3,731 yards, 28 TDs and had six picks for a 101.4 passer rating. He ran for 531 yards and 12 scores, becoming the first player in NFL history to have five consecutive seasons with at least 40 total touchdowns.
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Jackson had career-highs with 4,172 yards passing, 41 TDs to just four interceptions and a 119.6 passer rating, which led the NFL. He got 30 first-place votes to Allen’s 18 to earn AP first-team All-Pro honors.
The last time a first-team All-Pro didn’t win the NFL MVP award was 1987. John Elway was the MVP that season and Joe Montana was first-team All-Pro. The MVP award is given to a player who had the most valuable season while All-Pro is a statistical recognition.
Who is Jordon Hudson, Bill Belichick’s girlfriend?
Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson pose for a photo on the red carpet at the 14th Annual NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The biggest non-football news of the night was undoubtedly the jokes about former legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick, who’s 72, and his girlfriend, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson.
Snoop Dogg, who hosted the ceremony, shocked Hudson when he made a joke about the age gap, according to Talk Sport.
"I've been a football fan for a long, long time," Snoop said.
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"I mean, I remember back when the Cowboys were good. I remember back when the Chiefs were bad. And I remember, what was it, Bill Belichick's girlfriend wasn't even born yet."
Reports say Hudson appeared visibly shocked by the joke, but it didn’t take long for her to sit back and laugh with everyone else.
Hudson is a former cheerleader at Bridgewater State University. She and Belichick reportedly first met in February 2021 while Hudson was a college student, according to People.
Who was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year?
Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
The backstory:
The award is given out annually to recognize an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. The award was established in 1970 and was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame running back, Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community.
Who won NFL Coach of the Year?
Kevin O’Connell beat out Dan Campbell for Coach of the Year after leading the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins with quarterback Sam Darnold.
The Vikings, widely picked to finish last in the NFC North, ended up playing for a division title and the conference’s No. 1 seed in the final game of the regular season. They lost to Campbell and the Lions and then were knocked out of the playoffs by the Rams.
O’Connell got 25 first-place votes, 18 seconds and seven thirds, appearing on all 50 ballots.
Campbell, who guided Detroit to a franchise-record 15 wins, got 19 first-place votes to finish second. Chiefs coach Andy Reid (4), Broncos coach Sean Payton (1) and Commanders coach Dan Quinn (1) also received first-place votes.
Who was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen and Sterling Sharpe were voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the smallest induction class in 20 years following offseason rule changes meant to make it harder to get inducted.
Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning fell short and won’t join older brother Peyton in Canton, Ohio, this year.
Who won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Rams pass rusher Jared Verse was an overwhelming choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Verse had 4 1/2 sacks and led all rookies in quarterback hits (18), pressures (77) and hurries (56). He also had 11 tackles for loss.
Who won NFL Offensive Player of the Year?
Saquon Barkley ran away with the Offensive Player of the Year award after rushing for 2,005 yards, eighth-best in NFL history, in his first season with the Eagles.
Who won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year?
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels got 49 out of 50 first-place votes to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Who won NFL Defensive Player of the Year?
Patrick Surtain II became the seventh cornerback to win Defensive Player of the Year.
The Denver Broncos’ All-Pro allowed just 37 receptions, had four interceptions and opposing quarterbacks had a 61.1 passer rating throwing against him.
The Source: This report includes information from the Associated Press, Talk Sport and People.
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