The NFL Players Association has opened online fan voting for the 2012 NFLPA PULSE awards. Fans can vote for their favorite players in a variety of categories, including Comeback Player, and Emerging Player.
The voting will continue online from now through mid-December, and the awards are presented at an NFLPA-sponsored awards ceremony as part of Super Bowl week activities.
Votes can be cast online by clicking here, and the categories and nominees are summarized below.
- Emerging Player, recognizing a rising star showing performance, character and maturity:
- Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints)
- Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)
- Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)
- Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions)
- Heart of the Game, honoring a player for determination, enthusiasm and passion for the game:
- Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)
- London Fletcher (Washington Redskins)
- Matt Light (New England Patriots)
- Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens)
- Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis Colts)
- Comeback Player, celebrating a player who has overcome obstacles with exceptional performance:
- Jermichael Finley (Green Bay Packers)
- Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys)
- Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers)
- Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers)
- Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions)
- Endurance, rewarding a player for a career distinguished by longevity, durability and consistency:
- Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Brian Dawkins (Denver Broncos)
- Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons)
- Hines Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers)
