The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), sometimes known as Pro Football Writers Association, is an organization that purports to be "[the] official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public."[1] Goals of the organization include improving access to practices and locker rooms, developing working relationships with all teams, and ensuring that football writers are treated in a professional manner. By the mid-2000s, the group consisted of over 300 writers, editors, and columnists who cover pro football. The PFWA also issue several awards and honors following each NFL season.
Note: The George Halas Award should not be confused with the Newspaper Enterprise Association's George Halas Trophy that was awarded to the NFL defensive player of the year from 1966 to 1996, or the NFL's George Halas Trophy that is awarded to the National Football Conference champion.
The PFWA Good Guy Award has been given annually since 2005 to an NFL player "for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs."[2]
Since 1974, the PFWA has given an annual award named in memory of sportswriter Jack Horrigan, to honor a league or club official "for his or her qualities and professional style in helping the pro football writers do their job."[3] The most recent five winners have been Thomas Dimitroff (2012), Mike Signora (NFL Vice President of Football Communications) (2013), Pete Carroll (2014), Bruce Arians (2015), and John Elway (2016).[3]
The Rozelle Award is given to the club public relations department that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. It is named after Pete Rozelle, who served as commissioner of the NFL from 1960 until 1989.
