Connor Writing Awards: 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2010s | 2020s
2009 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XLII through Super Bowl XLIII)
News
1. Greg Bedard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Devastated town begins healing with field
2. Jarrett Bell, USA Today: What’s next for NFLPA/Sticking to Upshaw’s plan
3. (tie) Dennis Waszak Jr., Associated Press: Jets’ fade costs Mangini his job; Dave Weinberg, Press of Atlantic City: Eagles coach Johnson has cancerous spine tumor
Game Stories
1. Dave Weinberg, Press of Atlantic City: Birds go from bad to worse/Reid benches McNabb, but Kolb also flops in lopsided loss/36-7
2. Jarrett Bell, USA Today: Winning factor for Steelers? Poise
3. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Hopes snatched away/Late-game collapse crushing (for Packers)
Columns
1. Tom Danyluk, Pro Football Weekly: Nothing artistic about Raiders’ Week Nine debacle
2. Howard Balzer, Gridiron Gateway: Sunday will never be the same (Rams let Isaac Bruce leave)
3. Jim Corbett, USA Today: Ravens’ ailing Brigance inspiring team’s run
Features
1. Dennis Waszak Jr., Associated Press: Jets lineman an inspiration to epileptics
2. Kerry Byrne, Cold Hard Football Facts: A brief, fact-filled history of the NFL passing game
3. Matt Crossman, The Sporting News: The amazing story behind Antonio Cromartie
Enterprise Features
1. Kerry Byrne, Cold Hard Football Facts: Epic all-time franchise rankings
2. Curtis Eichelberger, Bloomberg News: Everett walks from broken neck saved by hypothermia treatment
3. (tie) Kerry Byrne, Cold Hard Football Facts: Upshaw, reconsidered; Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star: The Man in Black
2008 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XLI through Super Bowl XLII)
News
1. Vito Stellino, Florida Times-Union: Jaguars seek ways to tackle debt
2. Paul Woody, Richmond Times-Dispatch: Skins practice in silence/Taylor’s father meets with players, coaches
3. David Weinberg, Press of Atlantic City: Reid resumes full-time duties with Eagles
Game Stories
1. Sean Jensen, St. Paul Pioneer Press: New threat in town (20 questions hanging over the Vikings)
2. Sean Jensen, St. Paul Pioneer Press: Vikings give Adrian Peterson a hero’s welcome after win
3. Greg Bishop, New York Times: Jets outlast Chiefs in fitting ending to a foul season
Columns
1. Bob Glauber, Newsday: His inspiration gives a Giant boost to all. Injured Iraq war veteran provides strength to Big Blue
2. Paul Woody, Richmond Times-Dispatch: Vick deal? He deserves maximum
3. Seth Wickersham, ESPN.com: Giants-Dolphins at Wembley
Features
1. Shalise Manza Young, Providence Journal: Greg Jennings, meet Brett Favre
2. Sean Jensen, St. Paul Pioneer Press: Adrian Peterson day in Palestine
3. (tie) Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News: There is a soft side of Coughlin not many see; Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer: A world apart: T.J. Houshmandzadeh and his Iranian father
Enterprise Features
1. (tie) Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star: Scars of the game (Conrad Dobler and other former players living with injuries); Matt Crossman, The Sporting News: Concussions create living hell for former players
2. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: That defeat still hurts – Wolf says Holmgren to blame for Packers’ failure to win Super Bowl XXXII
3. Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer: In his fifth season as head coach, Marvin Lewis finds himself in the spotlight at center stage
2007 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XL through Super Bowl XLI)
News
1. Dave Tuley, Daily Racing Form: Roethlisberger injury moves the line
2. Jim Corbett, USA Today Sports Weekly: Death of Broncos’ Williams brings grief, questions to NFL
3. Ron Borges, Boston Globe: Driving force behind NFL’s deal
Game Stories
1. Kerry Byrne, Cold Hard Football Facts: We order crow-six-ways from Peking Garden
2. Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer: Chips fall perfectly, but Bengals just fall, missing playoffs
3. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Favre’s fumble seals another painful loss for Packers
Columns
1. Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune: George Halas
2. Sean Jensen, AOL: Norm Chow sees his chances of stepping up fading
3. Paul Woody, Richmond Times-Dispatch: Vick’s image; Intentional grounding
Features
1. Chris Colston, USA Today Sports Weekly: Kacyvenski tackles forgiveness
2. Greg Bishop, Seattle Times: The classroom history of Mr. Holmgren
3. Paul Attner, The Sporting News: “By the grace of God, I am alive” (Tamba Hall)
Enterprise Features
1. Jason Cole and Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports: Cash and carry (Reggie Bush investigation)
2. Greg Bishop, Seattle Times: Life after football: No game, still pain
3. Lloyd Vance, Big Play Football: The field generals: Timeline of African-American quarterbacks
2006 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XXXIX through Super Bowl XL)
News
1. Brian Heyman, Journal News (White Plains, N.Y.)
2. Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
3. Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune
Game Stories
1. Michael Lev, Orange County Register
2. Matthew Postins, Charlotte (Fla.) Sun
3. Sheldon Mickles, Baton Rouge Advocate
Honorable Mention: Brian Heyman, Journal News (White Plains, N.Y.); Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
Columns
1. Michael Lev, Orange County Register
2. Paul Woody, Richmond Times-Dispatch
3. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Honorable Mention: Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune; Dan Pompei, The Sporting News
Features
1. Rich Cimini, New York Daily News
2. Jim Corbett, USA Today Sports Weekly
3. Thomas Danyluk, Pro Football Weekly
Honorable Mention: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer; Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
Enterprise Features
1. Greg Bishop, Seattle Times
2. Mike Beacom, Pro Football Weekly
3. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2005 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XXXVIII through Super Bowl XXXIX)
News
1. Marla Ridenour, Akron Beacon Journal
2. Brian Heyman, Journal News (White Plains, N.Y.)
3. Howard Balzer, USA Today Sports Weekly
Game Stories
1. Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star
2. Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
3. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Columns
1. (tie) Fran Blinebury, Houston Chronicle; Jim Corbett, USA Today Sports Weekly
2. Howard Balzer, USA Today Sports Weekly
3. Shawn Krest, Sports & Leisure Magazine (Buffalo)
Features
1. Paul Attner, The Sporting News
2. Chris Colston, USA Today Sports Weekly
3. Paul Woody, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Enterprise Features
1. Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune
2. Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune
3. Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star
2004 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XXXVII through Super Bowl XXXVIII)
News
1. Darin Gantt, Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald
2. Paul Kuharsky, The Tennessean
3. Howard Balzer, USA Today Sports Weekly
Honorable Mention: Neil Best, Newsday; Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
Game Stories
1. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
2. Jim Corbett, USA Today Sports Weekly
3. Matt Maiocco, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Honorable Mention: Ira Miller, San Francisco Chronicle; Kim Jones, Newark Star-Ledger; Vito Stellino, Florida Times-Union
Columns
1. Ron Borges, Boston Globe
2. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
3. Ron Borges, Pro Football Weekly
Honorable Mention: Howard Balzer, USA Today Sports Weekly; Scott Pitoniak, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Features
1. Ron Borges, Boston Globe
2. Leo Roth, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
3. Trent Modglin, Pro Football Weekly
Honorable Mention: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer; Matt Maiocco, Santa Rosa Press Democrat; Jason Wilde, Wisconsin State Journal
Enterprise Features
1. Kim Jones, Newark Star-Ledger
2. Todd Porter, The Canton (Ohio) Repository
3. Charles Chandler, Charlotte Observer
2003 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XXXVI through Super Bowl XXXVII)
News
1. Jim Corbett, USA Today Sports Weekly
2. Brian Heyman, Journal News (Westchester, N.Y.)
3. Jeff Legwold, The Tennessean
Game Stories
1. Kim Jones, Newark Star-Ledger
2. Paul Woody, Richmond Times-Dispatch
3. Jason Cole, Miami Herald
Columns
1. Scott Pitoniak, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
2. Adam Schefter, Denver Post
3. Ron Pollack, Pro Football Weekly
Features
1. Jim Corbett, USA Today Sports Weekly
2. Jim Corbett, USA Today Sports Weekly
3. Jason Cole, Miami Herald
Enterprise Features
1. Ron Pollack, Pro Football Weekly
2. Charean Williams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
3. Paul Attner, The Sporting News
2002 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XXXV through Super Bowl XXXVI)
News
1. Brian Allee-Walsh, New Orleans Times-Picayune: Willie Roaf talks
2. Leo Roth, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Bills hire Gregg Williams over a stunned Marvin Lewis
3. Jason Cole, Miami Herald: Jason Taylor accuses stepfather of pulling a gun on him
Game Stories
1. Adam Schefter, Denver Post: Patriots’ Super Bowl victory over the Rams
2. Paul Woody, Richmond Times-Dispatch: Redskins first victory under Marty Schottenheimer
3. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Packers NFC Championship game loss
Columns
1. George Willis, New York Post: Giants and their thoughts on games being canceled because of 9-11 terrorist attacks
2. Howard Balzer, Pro Football Weekly: Rumors on the imminent firing of Bucs’ coach Tony Dungy, who deserves better treatment
3. George Willis, New York Post: How Korey Stringer’s death reminded columnist about 1965 death of his 17-year-0ld brother in a preseason high school scrimmage in New Mexico
Features
1. Adam Schefter, Denver Post: Broncos TE Desmond Clark recalls life with a crackhead father who was blinded in a shooting but turned his life around
2. Ron Pollack, Pro Football Weekly: Outspoken Ravens TE Shannon Sharpe closes in on Ozzie Newsome’s NFL record for receptions by a tight end
3. Bob Glauber, Newsday: An older, wiser Bill Belichick puts bad days with Browns and Jets in rearview mirror and leads Patriots to AFC East title and one game away from Super Bowl XXXVI
Enterprise News
1. Bob Glauber, Newsday: A revealing look at Ravens MLB Ray Lewis
2. Jason Cole, Miami Herald: Official health care provider agreements between hospitals and pro teams debated nationwide
3. Leo Roth, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Ralph Wilson on why he fired John Butler, hired Tom Donahoe and brought in Gregg Williams as the Bills’ coach
Enterprise Features
1. Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository: Four-part series on Browns coach Butch Davis
2. Ron Pollack, Pro Football Weekly: Five-part series about former pro football players who have fallen on hard times
3. Jay Paris, North County Times: Raiders/Chargers rivalry and violence in the stands at Qualcomm Stadium the previous season, including the near-fatal stabbing of Chargers fan Daniel Napier by a Raiders fan
2001 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XXXIV through Super Bowl XXXV)
News
1. Jarrett Bell, USA Today: Derrick Thomas
2. Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Antonio Freeman
3. Larry Weisman, USA Today: Norv Turner
Game Stories
1. Paul Woody, Richmond Times-Dispatch: Redskins fight
2. Mike Penner, Los Angeles Times: Rams lose
3. Paul Kuharsky, The Tennessean: Titans win
Columns
1. Ron Borges, Boston Globe: Ray Lewis
2. Troy Renck, SportsWriters Direct: Walter Payton
3. Adam Schefter, Denver Post: Mile High Stadium
Features
1. Scott Pitoniak, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Bob Kalsu
2. Michael Lev, Orange County Register: Dennis Green
3. Adam Schefter, Denver Post: Alex Gibbs
Enterprise News
1. Bob Glauber, Newsday: New helmets
2. Jason Cole, Miami Herald: Dolphins injuries
3. Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune: The 49ers and salary cap
Enterprise Features
1. Chick Ludwig, Dayton Daily News: Cincinnati-Cleveland rivalry
2. Neil Hayes, Contra Costa Times: Joe Montana
3. Larry Weisman, USA Today: Super Bowl popularity
2000 Awards (from post-Super Bowl XXXIII through Super Bowl XXXIV)
News
1. Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star: Curses! Deal falls apart
2. Jason Cole, Miami Herald
3. Leo Roth, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Game Stories
1. Marcus Hayes, Philadelphia Daily News: Star is Born
2. Adam Schefter, Denver Post
3. T.J. Simers, Los Angeles Times
Columns
1. Scott Pitoniak, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Mark Rypien stands tall
2. Dave Newhouse, Oakland Tribune
3. T.J. Simers, Los Angeles Times
Features
1. Elizabethe Holland, St. Louis Times-Dispatch: Team Vermeil
2. T.J. Simers, Los Angeles Times
3. (tie) Brian Allee-Walsh, New Orleans Times-Picayune; Leo Roth, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Enterprise News
1. Paul Attner, The Sporting News: Crackdown on unruly fans starts at Ralph Wilson Stadium
2. Neil Best, Newsday
3. Darin Gantt, Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald
Enterprise Features
1. Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer: Battle for the Browns
2. Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune
3. Ron Pollack, Pro Football Weekly