LAS VEGAS—With Super Bowl 58 just days away, NFL players, coaches and fans came together to celebrate the 2023 season on Thursday night in Las Vegas. 

It was a chance for the biggest names in the league to convene somewhere other than the football field. The best and brightest were honored. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was named the league's MVP, and Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward was given the most prestigious award- the Walter Payton of the Year award for excelling on and off the field.

Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, AP Most valuable player speaks during the NFL Honors award show ahead of the Super Bowl 58 football game, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)

“To know he was one of my dad’s favorite and I get to hold this trophy, I got my dad on one shoulder and Walter Payton on the other," Heyward said of his late father, NFL fullback Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.

Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers poses after winning the award at the NFL Honors award show ahead of the Super Bowl 58 football game Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Matt York)

But both the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans had the biggest nights. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. won Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, respectively.

Stroud said his time as an Ohio State Buckeye shaped him into the player he is today.

“It made me into who I am now," Stroud said. "I don’t think I can’t see anything that I haven’t seen before or anything I haven’t felt before because of what I went through in college. I’m super grateful to be a Buckeye.”

The Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud, AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, speaks during the NFL Honors award show ahead of the Super Bowl 58 Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

And the Browns claimed Defensive player of the Year with defensive end Myles Garrett, Coach of the Year with Kevin Stefanski and Comeback Player of the Year with quarterback Joe Flacco.

Flacco said his time in Cleveland was special

“The way it turned out was just unbelievable," Flacco said. "I could have never in a million years imagined that, and that’s what made it special, is just how I felt the city welcomed me and my family and made it feel like our home.”

The Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees and winner will spend Friday doing what they do best -- giving back to the local community by playing football with kids from the local Boys & Girls Clubs.