Pro Football Writers awards

The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) is announcing its award winners today for 2008.

-- Good Guy Award: Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre

This award is given for the player who best helped the media do its job. A PFWA member who nominated Favre said there was "no better interview in the game. Ask the guy a question and he'll bare his soul."

Favre not only gave detailed, honest answers but increased his availability to national and out-of-town reporters. Leading into games, Favre did more conference calls than in previous seasons with media covering the opposition even knowing he would inevitably be asked the same questions about his possible retirement.

Favre answered the inquiries with class and dignity before making his retirement official in March.

-- Horrigan Award: Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren

This award is given to the person (not a player or team media relations member) who helped the media best do its job last season. Holmgren enters his final season as Seattle's coach -- and perhaps his last as a coach anywhere -- much to the dismay of those who cover him. In fact, those PFWA members consider it an upset that he has never won this award considering his openness and incredibly consistent availability even to those critical of him.

Holmgren is very patient in explaining his thinking about a variety of issues, including those that other coaches might be reluctant to discuss. It should be noted that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was a very close runner-up, falling just three votes short of tying Holmgren in the balloting.

-- Halas Award: Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett

This award is given to the individual in the NFL who overcame the most adversity to succeed last season. Everett was chosen among one of the strongest groups of candidates the PFWA has ever nominated for this award.

In the 2007 season-opener, Everett sustained a fracture and dislocation of his cervical spine. Doctors initially characterized the injury as life-threatening and stated he was likely to have suffered permanent neurological impairment. But days later, Everett showed significant movement in his arms and legs, which led doctors to speculate that he may eventually be able to walk again. Everett walked in public for the first time at Ralph Wilson Stadium before the home finale against the New York Giants on December 23, 2007.

-- Rozelle Award: Seattle Seahawks

This award is given to the media relations staff that best helped PFWA members do their jobs. Seattle has become a perennial finalist and received the most nominations for the second time in three years. The Seahawks are regarding as one of the NFL's most media-friendly teams. This is evidenced by the strong support Seattle coach Mike Holmgren received in Horrigan Award voting and outpouring of tributes being paid to Gary Wright, the former media relations director who is retiring in June as the team's vice president of administration.

Extra touches set the Seahawks apart, like the overnight shipping of CD-ROMs with game releases to out-of-town media and complimentary valet parking for visiting reporters during the playoffs. Dave Pearson, Seattle's director of communications and broadcasting, has spearheaded these changes while earning respect as one of the NFL's top media relations chiefs. A support staff that includes Lane Gammel, Julie Barber, Rich Gonzales and Jeff Garza also is considered one of the league's most helpful.

-- McCann Award: Len PasquarelliThis award is named in honor of the first executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Dick McCann Award is given annually by the PFWA to honor one of its members for distinguished service.

After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh and working as a teacher, coach and newspaper stringer, Pasquarelli became editor of Pittsburgh Steelers Weekly in 1978. He joined the Pro Football Weekly staff in 1982, then went to the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel to handle the Indianapolis Colts beat in 1986. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution hired Pasquarelli to cover the Atlanta Falcons in 1989. A decade later, he entered cyberspace with SportsLine.com before landing at ESPN.com in 2001.

Pasquarelli became ill during Pro Football Hall of Fame voting at the last Super Bowl and had emergency, quintuple bypass surgery -- but not before he voted and wrote his column. Pasquarelli will be honored at this year's Hall of Fame dinner in Canton.

PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS (2003 to 2007)

HORRIGAN
2003 - Herm Edwards, New York Jets
2004 - Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens
2005 - Rich McKay, Atlanta Falcons
2006 - Floyd Reese, Tennessee Titans
2007 - Steve Alic, NFL media relations

GOOD GUY (Award instituted in 2005)
2005 - Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
2006 - Tiki Barber, New York Giants
2007 - LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego.

HALAS
2003 - Robert Edwards, Miami Dolphins
2004 - Sam Mills, Carolina Panthers
2005 - Mark Fields, Carolina Panthers
2006 - Tony Dungy, Indianapolis
2007 - Drew Brees, New Orleans

ROZELLE
2003 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2004 - Houston Texans
2005 - Philadelphia Eagles
2006 - Cincinnati Bengals
2007 - Houston Texans

McCANN
2003 - Joel Buchsbaum, Pro Football Weekly
2004 - Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News
2005 - Jerry Green, Detroit News
2006 - John McClain, Houston Chronicle
2007 - John Clayton, ESPN