1965 NAAF Award Nominations
MVPQB Lyle Painter IND
Painter is not a name you would have expected to be up here for the MVP award this season, especially when he was not named the Victors’ starting QB for week 1. However, after QB Tom Applewhite got off to a rocky start, the team turned to Painter who would prove why he was once a number 1 overall pick. He would lead the Victors to a 6-4 record over the rest of the season giving them their first-ever playoff appearance. His leadership and determination made him the most valuable piece in helping Indiana find a name for themselves. He also threw 21 touchdowns in the 10 games he started which would have put him on pace for 25 if he got the other 2 games.
LB William Washington II LI
The Raiders’ defence had a record-setting season, and their lead man was former 2nd overall selection LB William Washington II. He made quite the comeback this season after suffering a major injury that kept him sidelined for most of last year. This season he would lead the league in tackles and have 6 forced fumbles which were tied for 3rd in the league. His production is super valuable, but the leadership was even more so bringing together the stout defence to crush opposing offences. It very much looks like William Washington II is going to be one of the next great LBs in the NAAF.
QB Todd Baker TOR
Baker certainly will not get the recognition on the stat sheet, however, you cannot ignore the level of leadership and determination for the QB that just led a team that most expected to be middle of the road or worse, to a league-best 9-3 record and a West Division crown. Baker has been the steady hand that has guided the Steelheads on the field, being able to face adversity and challenges to put their team in the best position to win. He did it so consistently this season that he certainly deserves to be looked at as an MVP candidate.
Offensive Player of the Year
QB Nathaniel Braddock BOS - 24 Passing Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Passing Yards
Braddock had one of his best seasons throwing for 24 touchdowns and leading the league in passing yards. His play made him the top QB this season.
RB Jimmy Golden BUF - 19 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), 2nd in Rushing Yards
Golden was not able to replicate his record-breaking season from 1964, but he still had a strong year scoring 3 more touchdowns than the next RB, and only falling behind RB Dareion Fields in rushing yards
QB Lyle Painter IND - 21 Passing Touchdowns (2nd), 3rd in Passing Yards
Painter was on pace to finish with more touchdowns than Braddock this season through the 10 games he had played. His best season since joining the league in 1955 certainly gives him the opportunity to win an award.
WR Ed Edwards IND - 12 Receiving Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Receiving Yards
Edwards was a major help to Painter’s fantastic season, having a career year of his own. Edwards was easily the most lethal weapon through the air this season, being able to catch seemingly everything thrown at him.
Defensive Player of the Year
DL William Sanderson BUF - 7 Forced Fumbles (T-1st), 2nd in Sacks
1964’s DPOY continued to show why he was one of the scariest DL in the league. With another 7 forced fumbles and finishing 2nd in sacks, only 1 behind the league-leader in DL Wayne Baxton.
LB William Washington II LI - 6 Forced Fumbles (T-3rd), 1st in Tackles
Washington managed to become the next new leader in tackles this season as he returned to a healthy self. His dominance down the middle made the Raiders’ defence one of the toughest to play this season.
DB Oliver Langstrom LOU - 7 Interceptions (T-2nd), 1st in Passes Defended
Langstrom got a lot of time to shine this season with S Johnny Berger being injured in Louisville. The veteran DB racked up the interceptions this season as well as making it excruciatingly tough to complete passes in his vicinity.
DB Neville Falkner PRO - 8 Interceptions (1st), 2 Defensive Touchdowns, 2nd in Passes Defended
Of course, the DPOY list would be incomplete without the outstanding Neville Falkner, who continues to come up with boatloads of interceptions, knockdowns, and defensive touchdowns. The superstar made the most of a tough situation in Providence this season.
Special Teams Player of the Year
K Ryan Perch BUF - 23 Field Goals (4th), 34 Extra Points (2nd), 2 Singles, 105 Total Points (3rd)
Perch had a strong season despite the Blue Wings missing the playoffs, he was one of the most consistent when it came to extra points with Buffalo being a force in the redzone.
K Nimrod Handsworth LDN - 33 Field Goals (1st), 28 Extra Points (T-5th), 127 Total Points (1st)
Nimrod shattered the points meter this season connecting in 33 field goals and putting up 127 total points, which was 12 more than the next highest in K Ira Foster.
K Ira Foster OTT - 32 Field Goals (2nd), 19 Extra Points (10th), 115 Total Points (2nd)
Foster was neck-and-neck with Handsworth this season. The veteran kicker showed that he had incredible poise managing to lift Ottawa up several times this season including scoring all 18 points in an 18-15 win over Pittsburgh.
Rookie of the Year
DB Aquilio Ruiz HFX - 4 Interceptions, 1 Defensive Touchdown
Ruiz was up and down at times this season, but there were several moments of true brilliance. Those often were plays where the DB came flying out of nowhere to steal or knock away the ball with his insane speed. We have another strong DB in the making with this one.
LB Marshall Langenbrunner IND - 3 Forced Fumbles, Led Rookie Tackles
Langenbrunner was fairly consistent this season, being a strong starter for the Victors all year long. He still made his mistakes, but the #2 pick seems to be getting his footing fairly quickly
WR Lloyd Lane LOU - 1 Receiving Touchdown
Outside of the top two rookies in Ruiz and Langenbrunner, there were not as many rookies to stand out, but Lane did start to pick up his role as the Thunder rolled to 6-straight wins. He seems to have found a solid connection with Dumont which allowed him to rack up some decent yardage down the stretch.
Coach of the Year
HC Dannell Willis IND - Record: 7-5
Willis does deserve a lot of credit for turning the league’s worst team from last season into a West Division contender this season. Many though will likely credit Painter a lot more for the success, but it does take a team to get there.
HC Emil Riddle LOU - Record: 8-4
Riddle seems to always have an answer when critics start to question his team. After a tough 2-4 start, Riddle was able to snap the team back into action and lead them on a 6-game win streak to finish at 8-4.
HC Ronald Martin TOR - Record: 9-3
Last season’s Coach of the Year once again proved why he deserved the award. Martin was able to bring the Steelheads to the top of the league despite many predicting that they would come well short of a playoff spot.
Breakout Player of the Year
WR Evan Clanton BOS - 10 Receiving Touchdowns (3rd), 3rd in Receiving Yards
Clanton had some big shoes to fill with the retirement of WR Ellis Lindholm, but he seemed to do it perfectly with a 10 touchdown season and being Braddock’s new favourite target.
RB Austin Andrews LDN - 11 Rushing Touchdowns (T-6th), 7th in Rushing Yards
Andrews was another player looking to fill the shoes of a veteran, as he took on the starting role over RB Clifford Russell this season. Andrews was solid with an 11 touchdown performance this season and being good help to Kiernan in the backfield.
DL Zane Tannith OTT - 4 Forced Fumbles (T-9th)
Tannith was quietly the Royals’ best DL this season. DL Olaf Viktorsson was not quite as good as he has been, so the youngster stepped up to fill his shoes having a really solid season all around.
48th McCallister Cup Host
Victory Stadium - Indianapolis, IN - Capacity: 48,500 - Last Host: 1958
This stadium continues to be a hot pick to host the big game due to the coliseum-like atmosphere. The ‘58 McCallister Cup was one of the best games between the Royals and Raiders and they hope with the team finding success it might be the best time to capitalize on getting the fans involved.
Long Island Stadium - Hempstead, NY - Capacity: 40,450 - Last Host: 1963
The city of New York continues to be a great host for the Championship game proving so just a couple of seasons ago. The league is liking to continue to promote the league in New York in the challenge with the ACFL.
Anderson Stadium - Toronto, ON - Capacity: 51,220 - Last Host: Never
Toronto is here for the first time with Anderson Stadium likely being a grand place to have the championship game. Toronto also has not hosted the event yet, and will likely be able to be a popular place to host games in the future.
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