NFL All-Pro Selection History and Organizations
In the world of professional football, being named an All-Pro is one of the highest individual honors a player can achieve. Unlike the Pro Bowl, which often incorporates popularity and fan voting, All-Pro selections are designed to identify the absolute best players at each position during a single season. Over the decades, various organizations—ranging from league officials and journalists to the players themselves—have shaped how these elite lists are compiled.
Key Facts
- The NFL began its own All-League teams in 1931.
- The Associated Press (AP) is the longest-running annual selector of All-Pro players.
- The Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) provided a unique "players' perspective" from 1955 to 1992.
- The NFLPA introduced a player-voted All-Pro team in 2022.
- The Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) has released its All-NFL team annually since 1966.
The Evolution of League-Led Selections
The tradition of recognizing the league's best began with the National Football League itself. Starting in 1931, the NFL compiled 11-man "All-League" teams. For the first several years, through the 1939 season, these players were chosen by league coaches. In 1940, the responsibility shifted to the Professional Sports Writers Association, though this specific selection process ended after the 1942 season.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Associated Press: The Gold Standard
The Associated Press (AP) began selecting All-Pros in 1940 and remains the most enduring selector of the NFL's top talent. The AP All-Pro Team is determined by a national panel of media members. A critical distinction of the AP vote is that it focuses strictly on position performance, regardless of whether a player competes in the American Football Conference (AFC) or the National Football Conference (NFC).
Team Structure and Voting Changes
The AP organizes its selections into a first team (the top one or two players per position) and a second team (the runners-up). The roster typically includes one quarterback, fullback, tight end, center, punter, kicker, and return specialist. Two players are selected for roles such as running back, wide receiver, offensive tackle, offensive guard, outside linebacker, inside/middle linebacker, defensive end, defensive tackle, cornerback, and safety.
The selection criteria have evolved over time. In 2016, the AP introduced specific offensive line positions, a "flex" offensive player, and a fifth defensive back. By 2020, the "flex" spot was replaced by a third wide receiver. Furthermore, starting in 2022, voters began listing choices for both the first and second teams simultaneously, whereas previously, the second team was simply composed of the first team's runners-up.
Despite its national claim, the AP panel is not universal; some markets, such as Detroit, have historically been excluded from the voting process.
Other Major Selection Bodies
While the AP is the most prominent, several other organizations have contributed to the historical record of NFL excellence.
Press and Media Polls
- United Press International (UPI): This press poll operated from the 1930s until 1969. From 1970 to 1996, it shifted to selecting separate All-AFC and All-NFC teams.
- Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA): Established in 1966, the PFWA All-NFL Team continues today. Since the 1990s, these results have been featured in Pro Football Weekly. Additionally, the publication's editors have selected All-Conference teams since 1970.
- The Sporting News: After publishing All-Conference teams in the 1950s, this organization began choosing a single All-Pro team in 1980. Because these selections are included in Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the NFL, they are officially recognized by the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Player-Driven Selections
Recognizing that players have a unique understanding of the game, some polls have focused on peer evaluation. The Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) created a "players' All-Pro Team" in 1955, curated by Murray Olderman. This poll was highly regarded by figures like sportswriter Paul Zimmerman for prioritizing player insight over writer opinion. The NEA poll concluded in 1992.
More recently, the National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA) stepped into this role, launching its own Players' All-Pro team in 2022, voted on exclusively by the players.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Summary of All-Pro Selection Organizations
| Organization | Primary Voter Base | Active Period / Status | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (All-League) | Coaches / PSWA | 1931–1942 | Original league-led lists |
| Associated Press (AP) | National Media | 1940–Present | Longest running; position-based |
| UPI | Press | 1930s–1996 | Shifted to All-Conference in 1970 |
| The Sporting News | Editorial | 1950s–Present | Recognized by Hall of Fame |
| NEA | NFL Players | 1955–1992 | Early player-voted poll |
| PFWA | Pro Football Writers | 1966–Present | Annual industry standard |
| NFLPA | NFL Players | 2022–Present | Modern player-only vote |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the longest-running selector of NFL All-Pros?
The Associated Press (AP) is the longest-running annual selector, having begun the process in 1940.
How does the AP All-Pro selection differ from the Pro Bowl?
Unlike the Pro Bowl, AP All-Pro votes are cast for the best players at each position without considering whether the player is in the AFC or NFC.
Which All-Pro teams are recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
The teams selected by The Sporting News are recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame because they are published in Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the NFL.
When did players start voting for their own All-Pro teams?
Player-voted teams began with the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) in 1955 and were later reintroduced by the NFLPA in 2022.
How has the AP All-Pro roster changed recently?
In 2016, the AP added specific offensive line positions and a fifth defensive back. In 2020, the "flex" position was replaced by a third wide receiver slot.