10 February 2024 , 03:00
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In an unexpected turn of events, Cleveland Browns' quarterback, Joe Flacco, was named Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year for 2023, even though he had fewer first place votes.
He beat Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, whose return to the field was even more impressive after suffering a cardiac arrest during a match against Cincinnati Bengals in the 2022 season.
The new scoring system brought victory to 39 year old Flacco. This system gives five points for first place votes, three for second and one for third place.
Despite having fewer top votes overall, Flacco's tally of 13 for first place, 26 for second, and 8 for third, gave him 151 points in total, beating Hamlin by 11.
Flacco believes that Hamlin - who totalled 21 first place votes - deserved the honour more than him. When asked by CBS Sports Radio, he responded: "For sure," adding, "I just think mentally to get yourself back to the point where you feel comfortable doing that kind of thing, obviously the physical part doesn't need any explanation, but the mental part, especially at his position, is pretty cool."
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Hamlin, who's already been named the Pro Football Writers of America's Comeback Player, is focused on getting back to his best. He told ESPN: "My focus was just coming back. That was the hardest part," and "... Just growing and trying to get back to myself, and then ... trying to rebuild myself into something that I haven't been yet."
He added: "What happened to me, it was [so] random, and it was any moment. But that feeling, you know, it'll never go away. First day, last day, when I retire -- it'll never go away."
Damar Hamlin, whose comeback following a cardiac arrest last season inspired many, came second (Getty)"But like I said, man, my faith is stronger than ... that fear that's in there. And when I hit that field, I'm not thinking twice. ... But those feelings will be in there forever, and I'm not afraid to say that."
Sadly for both Flacco and Hamlin, their playoff runs were short-lived. Cleveland and Flacco were trounced by the Houston Texans, 45-14 in the Wild Card round, while Hamlin and Buffalo were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
The Chiefs are now on the brink of retaining their NFL crown for a second consecutive year. However, they face a tough challenge against the in-form San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas this Sunday.