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Bart Starr Award

National Football League player award


National Football League player award

FieldValue
nameAthletes in Action/Bart Starr Award
nicknameBart Starr Award
imageBart starr bw.jpg
leagueNational Football League
captionBart Starr, former quarterback of the Green Bay Packers and namesake of the award
altFull body photo of Bart Starr in his uniform tossing a football towards the camera
awardedforOutstanding character and leadership
sponsorAthletes in Action
firstSteve Largent, , 1989
mostrecentChristian McCaffrey, , 2026
url

The Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award is given annually to an American football player in the National Football League (NFL) who "best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community". The award is presented by Athletes in Action (AIA), a sports ministry associated with Cru (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ). It is awarded to the winner each year at the Super Bowl Breakfast, an NFL-sanctioned event that occurs the day before the Super Bowl. The nominee list is compiled by a group of individuals made-up of the Public Relations Directors of every NFL team, past award winners and AIA staff. The list is trimmed to 10 players, with the award winner chosen by AIA leadership and past award winners. However, some past awardees have been chosen by fellow NFL players after the initial list is trimmed down to 10. The award was first given at the second Super Bowl Breakfast in 1989. Bart Starr, the Hall of Fame former quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, partnered with AIA to present the award that bears his name. Starr was selected by AIA because he was an "individual of impeccable character who has served his family and community faithfully through the years and is a role model for athletes and business people alike". Starr presented every award until 2015, when a stroke prevented him from attending the Super Bowl Breakfast anymore. Since 2015, former NFL coach Tony Dungy and Starr's son have presented the award in his honor.

Steve Largent, the Hall of Fame former wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, was the winner of the inaugural award in 1989. Since then, 37 NFL players have received the award. This includes Eugene Robinson, a safety for the Atlanta Falcons, who returned the award after being arrested the night he received it for soliciting sex from an undercover police officer. Historically, the award has only been given to one player a year, however in 1998, Irving Fryar and Brent Jones shared the award. The award has been given to one set of brothers (Peyton and Eli Manning in 2015 and 2019 respectively) and one father and son (Jackie and Matthew Slater in 1996 and 2017 respectively). The most recent awardee was Christian McCaffrey, running back for the San Francisco 49ers, in 2026.

Award winners

YearImagePlayerPositionTeamRefs19891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
[[File:Stevelargent cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Steve Largent]]Wide receiverSeattle Seahawks
[[File:Anthony Muñoz 2015 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Anthony Munoz holding a microphone]]Offensive tackleCincinnati Bengals
[[File:Mike Singletary at 49ers Family Day 2009 1 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Mike Singletary in front of a microphone]]LinebackerChicago Bears
[[File:Reggie White at the White House Crop.jpg100pxalt=Photo of the back of Reggie White sitting on the sideline in his uniform with no helmet]]Defensive endPhiladelphia Eagles
[[File:Gill Byrd c. 1987 Crop.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Byrd wearing a helmet]]CornerbackSan Diego Chargers
[[File:Warren Moon Press Conference Oilers Tribute Week 4-45 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Warren Moon smiling]]QuarterbackHouston Oilers
[[File:Cris Carter HOF Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Chris Carter]]Wide receiverMinnesota Vikings
Offensive tackleSt. Louis Rams
[[File:Darrell Green 49ers at Redskins 2019.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Darrell Green]]CornerbackWashington Redskins
[[File:Anniversary Climax with Rev. Dr. Irving Fryar, Sr. Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Irving Fryar holding a microphone]]Wide receiverPhiladelphia Eagles
Tight endSan Francisco 49ers
SafetyAtlanta Falcons
[[File:Aeneas Williams Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Aeneas Williams on a football field wearing his uniform but no helmet]]CornerbackArizona Cardinals
[[File:Bruce Matthews cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Bruce Matthews on a football field wearing his uniform but no helmet]]Offensive tackleTennessee Titans
[[File:Darren Woodson at 380th AEW Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Darren Woodson]]SafetyDallas Cowboys
[[File:Trent Dilfer 49ers Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Photo of Trent Dilfer during a game about to hand the football off to a teammate]]QuarterbackSeattle Seahawks
[[File:Derrick Brooks with 2006 Pro Bowl MVP trophy Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Photo of the side of Derrick Brooks in uniform speaking towards a microphone]]LinebackerTampa Bay Buccaneers
[[File:TroyVincentSr1.png100pxalt=Headshot of Troy Vincent in a suit]]CornerbackBuffalo Bills
[[File:Curtis Martin at 2010 pep rally cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Curtis Martin waving to a crowd]]Running backNew York Jets
[[File:John Lynch 2019 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of John Lynch]]SafetyDenver Broncos
[[File:LaDainian Tomlinson 2017 closeup Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of LaDainian Tomlinson wearing a suit]]Running backSan Diego Chargers
[[File:Warrick Dunn cropped2.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Warrick Dunn sitting and signing autographs]]Running backTampa Bay Buccaneers
[[File:Kurt Warner 2022 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Kurt Warner]]QuarterbackArizona Cardinals
[[File:Drew Brees 2015 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Drew Brees in full uniform and helmet on a football field]]QuarterbackNew Orleans Saints
[[File:London Fletcher Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of London Fletcher wearing his uniform but no helmet]]LinebackerWashington Redskins
[[File:Jason Witten 2017 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Jason Witten on a football field in uniform with his helmet resting on top of his head]]Tight endDallas Cowboys
[[File:Aaron Rodgers OCT2022 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Aaron Rodgers in full uniform and helmet smiling]]QuarterbackGreen Bay Packers
[[File:Peyton Manning Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Peyton Manning wearing a suit]]QuarterbackDenver Broncos
[[File:Thomas Davis panthers Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Thomas Davis in uniform but no helmet]]LinebackerCarolina Panthers
[[File:Matthew Slater cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Matthew Slater in uniform but no helmet]]Wide receiverNew England Patriots
[[File:Benjamin Watson in 2015 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Benjamin Watson in full uniform and helmet]]Tight endBaltimore Ravens
[[File:Calais Campbell picture cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Calais Campbell wearing a suit and smiling]]Defensive endJacksonville Jaguars
[[File:Eli Manning 2019 cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Eli Manning smilining, in uniform and wearing a New York Giants hat]]QuarterbackNew York Giants
[[File:WFT vs. Saints (51582765191) Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Demario Davis wearing his uniform and helmet]]LinebackerNew Orleans Saints
[[File:Russell Wilson vs Vikings, November 4, 2012 Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Russell Wilson in uniform and helmet running with the football]]QuarterbackSeattle Seahawks
[[File:Cousins 2022 Crop.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Kirk Cousins wearing his uniform and a Minnesota Vikings hat]]QuarterbackMinnesota Vikings
[[File:Fitzpatrick in Nov. 2019 Crop.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Fitzpatrick in a black sweater smiling at the camera]]SafetyPittsburgh Steelersurl = https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/01/05/steelers-safety-minkah-fitzpatrick-honored-with-the-2024-bart-starr-award/stories/202401050088title = Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick honored with 2024 Bart Starr Awardnewspaper = Pittsburgh Post-Gazettedate = January 5, 2024access-date = January 12, 2024last = Fittipaldofirst = Rayarchive-date = January 13, 2024archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240113000601/https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/01/05/steelers-safety-minkah-fitzpatrick-honored-with-the-2024-bart-starr-award/stories/202401050088url-status = live }}
[[File:Cameron Jordan Cropped.jpg100pxalt=Headshot of Jordan in his uniform]]Cameron JordanDefensive endNew Orleans Saintstitle = Cameron Jordan recognized by the NFL for his efforts in the communityurl = https://sports.yahoo.com/cameron-jordan-recognized-nfl-efforts-183551686.htmlaccess-date = January 9, 2025website = Yahoo.comlast = Grayfirst = Darriondate = January 9, 2025archive-date = January 9, 2025archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250109200906/https://sports.yahoo.com/cameron-jordan-recognized-nfl-efforts-183551686.htmlurl-status = live }}
[[File:Christian McCaffrey 2019 (cropped).jpg100pxalt=Headshot of McCaffrey wearing a black shirt]]Christian McCaffreyRunning backSan Francisco 49erstitle = Christian McCaffrey Announced as Winner of the 2026 Bart Starr Awardurl = https://www.49ers.com/news/christian-mccaffrey-announced-as-winner-of-the-2026-bart-starr-awardaccess-date = January 22, 2026website = 49ers.comdate = January 16, 2026archive-date = January 17, 2026archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20260117155304/https://www.49ers.com/news/christian-mccaffrey-announced-as-winner-of-the-2026-bart-starr-awardurl-status = live }}

Notes

  • Winners are listed by the year the award was given, not by the season the player had just completed.
  • Atlanta Falcons safety Eugene Robinson won the award for the 1998 NFL season, but was arrested the evening he received the award in Miami, Florida, for soliciting a female undercover police officer who was posing as a prostitute. This occurred on the eve of the Falcons' game against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII. Robinson later agreed to return the award. He is no longer listed on the AIA's list of award winners.

References

References

  1. (December 28, 2022). "Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins selected for 2023 Bart Starr Award".
  2. (August 9, 2021). "The Bart Starr Award".
  3. (January 13, 2020). "Eli Manning wins 2020 Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award".
  4. (January 4, 2021). "New Orleans Saints' Demario Davis named Bart Starr Award winner".
  5. (January 19, 1989). "Largent to receive Bart Starr Trophy". [[The Miami Herald]].
  6. Nidetz, Stephen. (February 6, 1999). "Falcon's Robinson to Return Award for Good Character". [[Chicago Tribune]].
  7. Murphy, Tom. (January 25, 1998). "Ex-Packers stars reaping benefits". [[Green Bay Press-Gazette]].
  8. Reiss, Mike. (January 4, 2017). "Matthew Slater, Jackie Slater first father-son combo to win Bart Starr Award".
  9. (January 24, 1990). "Munoz wins Starr Award". [[North County Times.
  10. (January 22, 1991). "Singletary wins Bart Starr Award". [[The Palm Beach Post]].
  11. Brennan, John. (January 25, 1992). "A feast of pregame programming". [[The Record (North Jersey).
  12. (August 31, 2021). "Gill Byrd - 1993".
  13. (August 31, 2021). "Warren Moon - 1994".
  14. Phillips, Mike. (January 27, 1995). "C. Carter gets gift for giving". [[The Miami Herald]].
  15. (January 23, 1996). "Maybe they should call it the MFL". [[The Naples Daily News]].
  16. George, Thomas. (May 18, 1997). "Man of the year: Green has earned it with Skins". [[News & Record]].
  17. (July 2014). "Williams helps Hall of Fame cover history".
  18. Thomas, Jim. (January 28, 2001). "Matthews is honored". [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]].
  19. Whitt, Richie. (August 4, 2002). "Woodson chases a record of his own". [[Austin American-Statesman]].
  20. (August 31, 2021). "Trent Dilfer - 2003".
  21. Cobb, Mike. (January 31, 2004). "Brooks Wins Starr Award For Leadership Abilities". [[The Ledger]].
  22. Gaughan, Mark. (February 6, 2005). "Mark". [[The Buffalo News]].
  23. Fennelly, Martin. (February 5, 2006). "Dungy Still Can Count His Blessings". [[The Tampa Tribune]].
  24. Williamson, Bill. (February 3, 2007). "Lynch receives Starr-ing role with top honor". [[The Denver Post]].
  25. (February 3, 2008). "'Spygate' takes Super twist for New England". [[The News Tribune]].
  26. Velde, Jessica Vander. (February 1, 2009). "Dunn Awarded for His Work Within Community". [[Tampa Bay Times]].
  27. Reynolds, Tim. (February 8, 2010). "Auction aids relief efforts". [[The Scranton Times-Tribune.
  28. (January 20, 2011). "Drew Brees wins Starr Award".
  29. (January 11, 2012). "Redskins linebacker Fletcher wins Bart Starr Award".
  30. (January 25, 2013). "Cowboys TE Witten wins Bart Starr Award". [[Chicago Tribune]].
  31. (January 15, 2014). "Aaron Rodgers to be honored with 2014 Bart Starr Award".
  32. (January 14, 2015). "Peyton Manning is 2015 Bart Starr Award winner".
  33. (January 6, 2016). "Thomas Davis named Bart Starr Award winner".
  34. Moini, Nina. (February 3, 2018). "Super Bowl breakfast ceremony highlights more than football".
  35. DiRocco, Michael. (January 8, 2019). "Calais Campbell first Jaguar to win Bart Starr Award: 'a true honor'".
  36. (February 12, 2022). "Russell Wilson receives 2022 Bart Starr Award". [[Associated Press]].
  37. Fittipaldo, Ray. (January 5, 2024). "Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick honored with 2024 Bart Starr Award". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
  38. Gray, Darrion. (January 9, 2025). "Cameron Jordan recognized by the NFL for his efforts in the community".
  39. (January 16, 2026). "Christian McCaffrey Announced as Winner of the 2026 Bart Starr Award".
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