Sam Darnold‘s Notable Comeback Sparks Debate for NFL Award
while officially ineligible for the comeback player of the year award,Sam Darnold’s remarkable 2024 season generated meaningful buzz and garnered votes from a substantial portion of the Associated Press (AP) panel.
Darnold,after his early career struggles with the Jets and Panthers,solidified himself as the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback,leading his team to an impressive 14-win season – a feat never before accomplished by a quarterback in their debut season with a new team. This remarkable turnaround prompted 15 of the 50 AP voters to defy the award’s guidelines and cast votes for Darnold, placing him third on 14 ballots.
Though quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, the eventual winner, arguably fit the “comeback” narrative more explicitly, Darnold’s resurgence garnered significant traction. The debate surrounding his eligibility highlights a lack of clarity in the award’s definition.
Some argue that Darnold’s early career challenges with the Jets and Panthers laid the foundation for his success with the Vikings. The AP’s initial guidance stated that only players overcoming injury or illness qualified, but the inclusion of “other circumstances” opened the door for interpretations like Darnold’s.
The ongoing ambiguity surrounding the award’s criteria fuels discussions about what constitutes a true “comeback.” While streamlining the definition to focus on injury or illness may offer a clearer standard, the incident with Darnold shows that the subjective nature of “comeback” will likely continue to spark debate in the future.
**How does the inclusion of “other circumstances” in the Comeback Player of the Year award’s criteria contribute to the ambiguity surrounding its definition?**
Sam Darnold’s Notable Comeback Sparks Debate for NFL Award
while officially ineligible for the comeback player of the year award,Sam Darnold’s remarkable 2024 season generated meaningful buzz and garnered votes from a substantial portion of the Associated Press (AP) panel.
Darnold,after his early career struggles with the Jets and Panthers,solidified himself as the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback,leading his team to an impressive 14-win season – a feat never before accomplished by a quarterback in thier debut season with a new team. This remarkable turnaround prompted 15 of the 50 AP voters to defy the award’s guidelines and cast votes for Darnold, placing him third on 14 ballots.
Though quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, the eventual winner, arguably fit the “comeback” narrative more explicitly, Darnold’s resurgence garnered meaningful traction. The debate surrounding his eligibility highlights a lack of clarity in the award’s definition.
Some argue that Darnold’s early career challenges with the jets and Panthers laid the foundation for his success with the Vikings. The AP’s initial guidance stated that only players overcoming injury or illness qualified, but the inclusion of “other circumstances” opened the door for interpretations like darnold’s.
the ongoing ambiguity surrounding the award’s criteria fuels discussions about what constitutes a true “comeback.” While streamlining the definition to focus on injury or illness may offer a clearer standard, the incident with Darnold shows that the subjective nature of “comeback” will likely continue to spark debate in the future..
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who won the Comeback Player of the Year award?
Joe Burrow won the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year award.
Why was Sam Darnold ineligible for the award, even though he received votes?
Darnold’s early career struggles were not considered a qualifying “comeback” scenario according to the award’s original guidelines.
What sparked the debate about Darnold’s eligibility?
The AP initially stated that only players overcoming injury or illness qualified, but later included “other circumstances,” leading to interpretations like Darnold’s situation.
Could the award’s definition change in the future?
There is a possibility that the award’s criteria could be refined to focus more specifically on injury or illness comebacks.
The Sam Darnold situation highlights the ongoing challenge of defining a “comeback” in sports. Will this debate continue to fuel conversation around the Comeback Player of the Year award?
