Browns QB Joe Flacco named NFL Comeback Player of the Year over Damar Hamlin

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was named the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year over Bills cornerback Damar Hamlin at the NFL Honors on Thursday night.

Flacco beat out Hamlin and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield for the comeback award. He received 13 first-place votes, 26 second-place votes and eight thirds to finish with 151 points.

Hamlin returned to the NFL this season after collapsing on the field and needing to be resuscitated following a cardiac arrest on Jan. 2, 2023. He played in five regular-season games. Hamlin received 21 first-place votes but appeared on 42 of 50 ballots while Flacco was on 47. He got seven second-place votes and 14 thirds for 140 points.

In his five regular-season appearances, he recorded two tackles while mostly playing on special teams. He also appeared in both of Buffalo’s playoff games, recording another two tackles in the AFC Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Flacco, the 39-year-old former Super Bowl MVP, was home in New Jersey with his family when Cleveland called him in November. He went 4-1 in five starts and passed for over 300 yards in four straight games with 13 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Josh Allen came in fifth place in MVP voting, getting one first-place vote. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was named the MVP.

The Associated Press Contributed to this report.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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