OHIO — Ohio received the spotlight multiple times Thursday during the NFL Honors, the annual awards show in the week leading to the Super Bowl.

What You Need To Know

  • Multiple players with ties to Ohio were recognized during the 2023 NFL Honors

  • A former member of the Browns and Bengals were named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023

  • Multiple players who played college football in Ohio won awards

Two all-time greats represented professional football in Ohio by being named a selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas was selected to the Hall of Fame on his first ballot. Thomas played for the Browns for 11 seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl 10 times.

The late Ken Riley played cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals for 15 years. He finished his career with 65 interceptions, 18 fumble recoveries and five touchdowns.

Two members of the New York Jets, who cut their teeth playing college football in Ohio, became just the third duo from the same team to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Garrett Wilson, a former wide receiver for Ohio State University, and Sauce Gardner, a former cornerback for the University of Cincinnati, won the awards for their performances during the 2023 NFL season.

Wilson, who was drafted 10th overall by the Jets, led all rookies in 2022 with 83 receptions and 1,103 receiving yards, both franchise records for rookies. He also led all rookies with at least 75 receiving yards in eight games and was one of two rookies with two receiving touchdowns in more than one game in 2022.

Gardner, who was drafted fourth overall by the New York Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft, led the NFL with 20 passes defended, which is the most by a rookie since 2015. He also was one of two players to record at least 75 tackles and 15 passes defended during the season.

Another former Buckeye also took home hardware from the NFL Honors, as former Ohio State defensive lineman Nick Bosa won AP Defensive Player of the Year.

Bosa led the league with 18.5 sacks in the regular season from his defensive end position. He also finished with 41 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Although Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow did not win the Most Valuable Player award that went to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Burrow did win the vote for the FedEx Air Player of the Year.

Burrow beat out Mahomes and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Burrow finished second in passing touchdowns during the regular season with 35 and fifth in passing yards with 4,475, while leading the Bengals to the AFC Championship game.

The Bengals also took home a team award for the Bud Light Celly of the Year for the best celebration during a game. Members of the Bengals defense did “The Rollercoaster” against AFC North rival Baltimore.

During a special presentation at the award show, members of the Bengals and Bills training staffs and staff from UC Health were recognized on stage for their efforts to save the life of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, before Hamlin spoke during the event.

It was also announced during the event that the rushing title was renamed the Jim Brown Award, named after the Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back who was in attendance at the award show.