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The NFL Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of former National Football League (NFL) players, coaches, team staff members, and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in service initiatives to foster the development of “youth through sports and sports through youth.”

History

It was founded in 1967, but the organization was revitalized and restructured under the leadership of Vic Maitland, who became its first full-time CEO in 1977.[1]

Maitland, a former player and marketing executive, reorganized the NFL Alumni into a charitable and educational institution and relocated its headquarters to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He worked for a symbolic salary of $1 per year and personally contributed nearly $1 million to keep the organization afloat during its early years.[2][3]

Under Maitland’s leadership, the NFL Alumni expanded to more than 30 active chapters and launched many signature programs, including:

  • The Charity Golf Classic Tour (established in 1979), the cornerstone of its fundraising efforts.[4]
  • The Player of the Year Awards Dinner (begun in 1982), honoring top players and coaches by votes cast from former players.
  • The NFL Alumni Ring, a distinctive gold and sapphire piece introduced in the early 1980s.[5]
  • The NFL Alumni Gold Blazer tradition, first awarded in 1978 to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees as part of their ceremonial recognition.[6]
  • The Pro Legends Speakers Bureau, which books retired players for public

The association also awards annually several awards like Player of the Year. It also honors past or current players with its Spirit Award for youth-oriented community service, Order of the Leather Helmet Award for individuals who “have made significant contributions to the game of professional football” and the Career Achievement Award given to those “whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization.”.[7]

NFL Alumni Player of the Year

2011

2010

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Overall

Coach

Source:[9]

2009

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

2008

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

2007

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

2006

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

NFL Alumni Order of the Leather Helmet

Awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of professional football.

1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2007
2008

NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award

Awarded to individuals whose accomplishments on and off the field demonstrate the higher values promoted by the organization.

1981
1982
1983
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2007

References

  1. ^ Nobles, Charlie (February 28, 1978). “‘Corporation doctor’ tries to bring NFL Alumni to life”. The Miami News.
  2. ^ Wine, Steven (June 26, 1988). “Maitland loves his $1-a-year job”. News Tribune.
  3. ^ “NFL Alumni now thriving”. The Repository (Canton, OH). June 26, 1988.
  4. ^ Cote, Greg (December 30, 1977). “NFL Alumni Goal Is Helping Others”. The Miami Herald.
  5. ^ “Help Us, Help Others”. NFL Alumni Membership Flyer. 1981.
  6. ^ “Gold Blazers”. NFL Alumni Legends. 1988.
  7. ^ “Jones Honored With NFL Alumni Assoc. “Spirit Award”“. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  8. ^ “Maurice Jones-Drew Named Alumni’s Player of the Year” (Press release). NFL Alumni. February 8, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ^ “NFL Alumni Names Winners of 2010 Player of the Year Awards”. NFLAlumni.org. February 5, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2011-02-09.