Jackson threw 36 touchdowns this season – more than any other quarterback
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been named the NFL’s most valuable player for the 2019 season at the league’s pre-Super Bowl awards in Miami.
Jackson, 23, was in sensational form throughout the regular season, setting an NFL record for rushing yards for a quarterback as the Ravens won their division.
The Ravens entered the play-offs with the best record in the NFL (14-2) but they were shocked by Tennessee in the divisional round last month.
The awards are decided by a panel of 50 sportswriters who make their choices before the play-offs begin. All 50 voted for Jackson, the first Baltimore Raven to be named MVP, and just the second unanimous choice after New England Patriots legend Tom Brady in 2010.
It is the seventh year in a row that a quarterback has taken home the honour.
“You have to believe in yourself,” Jackson said.
“Some people might say that’s cocky but you have to know what you are capable of and the sky’s the limit. The Super Bowl is the trophy I really want for Baltimore, not just myself. We’re here, we’ve got this MVP. We didn’t get what we wanted, but we got one of them.”
Jackson threw 36 touchdowns in the regular season – more than any other quarterback – and scored seven rushing touchdowns. His rushing total of 1,206 yards was the sixth best in the league overall, and more than double that of the next quarterback on the list, Arizona’s Kyler Murray.
Murray, 22, was named offensive rookie of the year while Ravens coach John Harbaugh took the coach of the year honours.
Last year’s MVP Patrick Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers.
No Chiefs players were honoured in the awards but 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was named rookie and defensive rookie of the year.
Selected NFL Honors winners 2019
Rookie of the Year: San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa
Defensive Player of the Year: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray
Offensive Player of the Year: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas
Defensive Rookie of the Year: San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa
Comeback Player of the Year: Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill
Coach of the Year: Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh
Most Valuable Player: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson
