NY Jets Awards Announced

From www.newyorkjets.com :

The New York Jets announced their 2007 team awards today. Running back/returner Leon Washington was voted as the team’s Most Valuable Player, quarterback Chad Pennington was named the recipient of the Dennis Byrd Award for most inspirational player, wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery earned the Marty Lyons Award for community service, and Brad Smith was given the Kyle Clifton Good Guy Award. As previously announced, Laveranues Coles was honored with the Ed Block Courage Award.

Washington was named the team’s MVP as voted by his teammates. Washington has a Jets-record three kickoff-return touchdowns this season: a 98-yard return vs. Miami (9/23), a 98-yarder at the Giants (10/7) and an 86-yarder on the opening kickoff vs. Washington (11/4). His 28.2-yard kickoff return average is second in the NFL and he has five returns of 49 or more yards. The second-year man from Florida State also pulled off a 33-yard punt return in overtime to set up Mike Nugent’s game-winning 38-yard field goal vs. Pittsburgh (11/18).

Washington has scored three rushing touchdowns, including two at Miami (12/2). He took a direct snap 18 yards in the first quarter and capped the scoring with a 12-yard run late in the fourth. He led the Jets with 57 yards rushing on four carries at New England (12/16), including a 49-yard run, the longest by a Jet in two years (Curtis Martin, 49, at Buffalo, 10/16/05). On the season, he has accumulated 281 yards rushing (59 carries, 4.8-yard average), 198 yards receiving (31 receptions, 6.8), 1,186 yards on kickoff returns and 172 yards on punt returns (10.1).

For the second straight season, Pennington won the Dennis Byrd Award as voted by his teammates. The eight-year veteran has started seven games this season, completing 153 of 228 passes for 1,503 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He injured his ankle in the opener vs. New England but rebounded after only one week on the sidelines to lead the Jets to a victory over Miami. Pennington is the most accurate passer in NFL history for players with more than 1,500 attempts, having completed 65.3 percent of his passes in his career. He also missed time with a wrist injury in 2003 and separate shoulder injuries in 2004 and 2005.

Cotchery received the Marty Lyons Award for his dedicated off-the-field support to causes and programs in the community. Cotchery and his wife, Mercedes, created the Cotchery Foundation in January as a not-for-profit organization established to benefit underprivileged youth. The foundation’s mission is to inspire children to conceive and achieve goals by providing programs and services designed to enhance their futures. The Cotchery Foundation hopes to plant seeds that bridge the gap between what you have and what you hope for, ultimately demonstrating that the two can be one and the same. This year, for each Jets home game Cotchery gave 10 tickets through the foundation to residents from MercyFirst/St. Mary’s Children and Family Foundation. MercyFirst/St. Mary’s Children and Family Foundation is a foster home for troubled youth located on Long Island.

Jerricho has also participated in many Jets community events and is scheduled to attend more. In May, he was present at the Jets' "Taste of the NFL" event to benefit Shop-Rite Partners in Caring. At the event, he auctioned off one-on-one experiences with himself to help raise additional funds for charity. On Nov. 12, he supported Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum at the Hofstra Saltzman Community Services Center Benefit Dinner honoring Tannenbaum.

Smith received the Kyle Clifton Good Guy Award, which is voted on by members of the Jets organization. The award, now in its 12th season, recognizes exceptionally consistent willingness, cooperation and professionalism in the everyday dealings with the various departments within the organization.

Coles, who has 55 catches for 646 yards and six touchdowns this season despite missing multiple games due to injuries, was previously awarded the Ed Block Courage Award, named in honor of the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts who was a pioneer in his profession and a respected humanitarian. The award is given annually to one player from each NFL team. Award recipients embody everything that is positive about professional athletes as they serve as inspirations in their locker rooms and constructive role models in their communities.

Coles, along with each team’s award recipient, will travel to Baltimore in March to receive his trophy at a gala and spend time at the local Courage House at St. Vincent's Center. This visit and the time spent with the hospitalized children allows each recipient to fully comprehend the true meaning of the award.