Rams' Stafford named NFL's Most Valuable Player / Photo: Michael Reaves - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
-
Spin woes, injury and poor form dog Australia for T20 World Cup
-
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party: an election bulldozer
-
Hazlewood out of T20 World Cup in fresh blow to Australia
-
Japan scouring social media 24 hours a day for abuse of Olympic athletes
-
Bangladesh Islamist leader seeks power in post-uprising vote
-
Rams' Stafford named NFL's Most Valuable Player
-
Japan to restart world's biggest nuclear plant
-
Japan's Sanae Takaichi: Iron Lady 2.0 hopes for election boost
-
Italy set for 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony
-
Hong Kong to sentence media mogul Jimmy Lai on Monday
-
Pressure on Townsend as Scots face Italy in Six Nations
-
Taiwan's political standoff stalls $40 bn defence plan
-
Inter eyeing chance to put pressure on title rivals Milan
-
Arbeloa's Real Madrid seeking consistency over magic
-
Dortmund dare to dream as Bayern's title march falters
-
PSG brace for tough run as 'strange' Marseille come to town
-
Japan PM wins Trump backing ahead of snap election
-
AI tools fabricate Epstein images 'in seconds,' study says
-
Asian markets extend global retreat as tech worries build
-
Sells like teen spirit? Cobain's 'Nevermind' guitar up for sale
-
Thailand votes after three prime ministers in two years
-
UK royal finances in spotlight after Andrew's downfall
-
Diplomatic shift and elections see Armenia battle Russian disinformation
-
Undercover probe finds Australian pubs short-pouring beer
-
Epstein fallout triggers resignations, probes
-
The banking fraud scandal rattling Brazil's elite
-
Party or politics? All eyes on Bad Bunny at Super Bowl
-
Man City confront Anfield hoodoo as Arsenal eye Premier League crown
-
Patriots seek Super Bowl history in Seahawks showdown
-
Gotterup leads Phoenix Open as Scheffler struggles
-
In show of support, Canada, France open consulates in Greenland
-
'Save the Post': Hundreds protest cuts at famed US newspaper
-
New Zealand deputy PM defends claims colonisation good for Maori
-
Amazon shares plunge as AI costs climb
-
Galthie lauds France's remarkable attacking display against Ireland
-
Argentina govt launches account to debunk 'lies' about Milei
-
Australia drug kingpin walks free after police informant scandal
-
Dupont wants more after France sparkle and then wobble against Ireland
-
Cuba says willing to talk to US, 'without pressure'
-
NFL names 49ers to face Rams in Aussie regular-season debut
-
Bielle-Biarrey sparkles as rampant France beat Ireland in Six Nations
-
Flame arrives in Milan for Winter Olympics ceremony
-
Olympic big air champion Su survives scare
-
89 kidnapped Nigerian Christians released
-
Cuba willing to talk to US, 'without pressure'
-
Famine spreading in Sudan's Darfur, UN-backed experts warn
-
2026 Winter Olympics flame arrives in Milan
-
Congo-Brazzaville's veteran president declares re-election run
-
Olympic snowboard star Chloe Kim proud to represent 'diverse' USA
-
Iran filmmaker Panahi fears Iranians' interests will be 'sacrificed' in US talks
NYSE - LSE
Rams' Stafford named NFL's Most Valuable Player
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford was named this season's NFL Most Valuable Player on Thursday, barely edging Drake Maye in the closest vote in years.
Stafford, the 37-year-old Los Angeles Rams signal-caller, received 24 of 50 first-place votes while the New England Patriots' Maye -- who will play in Sunday's Super Bowl -- received 23.
Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen placed third, while San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey -- the only non-quarterback on the final shortlist -- finished fourth.
Stafford led the league this season with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, but his Rams just missed out on a Super Bowl appearance with a 31-27 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in last month's NFC Championship clash.
"This team was really special. It didn't end the way we wanted it to, but, man, I'll never forget it," said Stafford, flanked by his four young daughters.
"I'll see you guys next year," Stafford added.
Also at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco hosted by "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm, the Patriots' Mike Vrabel was named head coach of the year for a second time.
In his debut season as New England coach, former Patriots player Vrabel took a franchise that had won just four games in each of its two previous seasons all the way to this Sunday's Super Bowl.
Vrabel was previously the 2021 award winner with the Tennessee Titans.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver who will take on Vrabel's Patriots at Super Bowl LX, won offensive player of the year.
His league-high 1,793 receiving yards was the eighth-most in NFL history.
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett was named the defensive player of the year after setting the NFL record for sacks in a single season, with 23.
NFL legends including Drew Brees were named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But, as had already been widely leaked, six-time Super Bowl-winning former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick failed to be elected to the Hall in his first appearance on the ballot.
Belichick, 73, is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NFL.
But his career was also tinged with controversy, notably the 2007 "Spygate" scandal, when he was fined a record $500,000 after the Patriots were caught illegally filming signals by opposing coaches during games.
T.Khatib--SF-PST