As of this writing, there is no definitive favorite to win MVP. Top choices are all quarterbacks, including Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen. Overall, the honor has been largely a qb honor over the past decade-plus. You would have to go back 2012 for a non-quarterback to be honored with the trophy, presented to Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
In total, only 21 non-quarterbacks have been awarded MVP. With Christian McCaffrey and Tyreek Hill eligible, we decided to revisit the most intriguing victor (and non-qb) to win the award.
Laneville’s Mark Moseley is the only kicker to ever receive the award.
Moseley earned his honor in the nine-game, 1982 strike-shortened season. Before his NFL career took off, Moseley cut his teeth on the Texas high school football gridiron, competing for Livingston High School. Originally a peewee running back, he would go on to compete at linebacker, corner, and quarterback. He played multiple positions with Texas A&M, then Stephen F. Austin, but excelled as a straight-on kicker, or sometimes a toe kicker.
Throughout his 12-year career, leading up to his legendary season, Moseley had a forgettable career, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Oilers, and then Washington Redskins. Only once did he make at least 75% of his attempts.
Suddenly, Moseley became unstoppable his MVP year. He set the then single-season record of 20 consecutive field goals and boasted a 95.2% success rate. Because of the shortened season, there were no 1,000-yard rushers, no quarterbacks that passed for 3,000 yards, and no real standouts besides dual-threat quarterback Dan Fouts. Plus, to cap off the year, Moseley kicked two field goals and three extra-point attempts, leading the Redskins over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII.
It was a strange NFL season interrupted by disruptions. This year is an odd NFL season interrupted by injuries.
With that said, of course, we will probably never see a kicker match Moseley’s feat. Only Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker earned one fifth-place vote in MVP voting years ago, and he is arguably the greatest at his position all-time. The award continues to be dominated by quarterbacks, but in a year with performance blemishes on each contending qb’s record, maybe it’s time to look beyond the signal caller. Such considerations definitely worked out for Moseley.
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