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What are the 101 awards? 101 media members voting on year-end NFL awards. And it all takes place at the Westin in Kansas City.
Gearing up for the NFL 101 gala tonight in KC, the Oscar awards of pro football!
— CCinKC (@crojas0206) March 2, 2013
"This banquet is the premier banquet in the NFL and you folks in Kansas City do it right" #PeytonManning. #101banquet
— Mayor Sly James (@MayorSlyJames) March 3, 2013
Denver Post: "There is some history behind the Kansas City 101 awards (so named because its limited 101 Kansas City Chiefs fans who pay $1,000 to join). The first award winners were presented in 1969. Roman Gabriel was the NFC Player of the Year; Daryl Lamonica was the AFC Player of the Year; Carl Eller and Kansas City's own Bobby Bell were the Defensive Player of the Year winners; Bud Grant and the Chiefs' Hank Stram were the Coach of the Year recipients."
But the 101 Awards aren't just an NFL thing. It's a Chiefs thing, too. From left to right, that's Trent Green, Andy Reid and John Dorsey kicking things off.
Met Coach Reid and renewed acquaintances with John Dorsey.Coach is a frosty dude& Dorsey is fantastic &down home. Gonna love em KC #Chiefs
— Mayor Sly James (@MayorSlyJames) March 3, 2013
The Chiefs announced that safety Gary Barbaro would be entering the KC Chiefs Hall of Fame.
Clark Hunt: "On behalf of my family and the entire Chiefs organization, it is an honor to announce Gary Barbaro's election into the Chiefs Hall of Fame. Gary had a remarkable playing career. He was a leader and a ball hawk who posted impressive numbers in his seven seasons with the Chiefs that classify him as one of the finest defensive backs in Chiefs history."
Dontari Poe was on-hand to accept the Chiefs rookie of the year award.
Dontari Poe: "I'm very grateful to be joining this prestigious list of players that have won the Mack Lee Hill Award in the past. To even have my name listed among players like Jan Stenerud, Derrick Thomas, Tony Gonzalez and many other current and former Chiefs greats is an honor. I'd like to thank my teammates and the Hunt family for giving me the opportunity to join this proud franchise. I'm looking forward to many great years as a member of the Chiefs."
Jamaal Charles was named Chiefs MVP for the third time. He wasn't there, so here's a blurry picture of him at the awards two years ago:
Jamaal Charles: "It is a great honor that my teammates selected me for this award. I have a number of people to thank for my success this past season, including my offensive line. They did an excellent job up front and never gave up, even in tough circumstances. This award is really a tribute to them as well. It is a blessing."
Other NFL stars were there. Like our nemesis ... Peyton Manning.
Manning first person ever to win a 101 Club honor 7 times. Biggest black tie banquet of NFL off season. #fb
— Jim Saccomano (@broncos_sacco) March 2, 2013
Considering the playoff losses to Indy, I don't care for Peyton. But he did come here straight from a USO tour in Germany.
Denver Post: "He flew from Germany to Washington D.C., then arrived mid-afternoon today in Kansas City, where he will receive The Kansas City Committee of 101 AFC Offensive Player of the Year Award tonight. It's the seventh time Manning has received the award, a record, and he has showed up to personally accept every time. His former University of Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe was to present the award to Manning tonight."
"One thing I learned from the military is that they're on time," Peyton told the Kansas City Star. "They said we were going to land at 2 o'clock in Washington and I knew we would. We landed early so I knew I'd be able to make it (to Kansas City) on time. Once I received the award, I committed to being here. I've been every year and I'm proud of that fact."
Peyton Manning just gave an awesome speech at the 101 awards in KC. He flew into KC tonite from Germany after spending time with US troops.
— Brad Stephens (@BradKCTV5) March 3, 2013
Clark Hunt caught up with Peyton. We're all thinking the same thing: One year too late, Clark.
Mayor Sly James apparently forgot the pain of two January losses to Peyton, and took this picture with him.
J.J. Watt won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award for dominating all season long.
The stats: "Watt had an NFL-best 20.5 sacks for 139 yards lost in 2012. He also broke up 16 passes, five of which ended up being intercepted, and forced four fumbles. The Texans finished the year 12-4 and won the AFC South. Watt was selected to the Pro Bowl as a starter for the AFC and was a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press."
Wade Phillips was on hand to accept the award for Watt.
@sonofbum thank you for accepting the NFL 101 award for me. Wish I could make it, but couldn't ask for a better person to accept it instead.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 1, 2013
Wade Phillips D Coordinator for Texans says that JJ Watt had one of the best defensive seasons in the history of the NFL #101Awards
— billchapin (@billchapin) March 3, 2013
The AFC Coach of the Year went to Colts' Chuck Pagano and Bruce Arians. Good thing there were two winners: Pagano was in New Jersey accepting another coach of the year award while Arians was in KC.
Cool seat mate on flight to KC, AFC coach of the year Bruce Arians on his way to 101 dinner. Remembered my mom from his days with the Chiefs
— Mike Swanson (@Swanee54) March 3, 2013
Next up. Bruce Arians got his NFL coaching career started with @kcchiefs as running backs coach in 1989. #101Awards bit.ly/15WxsdP
— Kansas City Chiefs (@kcchiefs) March 3, 2013
@kcchiefs @nflnetwork @richgannon12 great event, had lot of fun with my old coach Bruce Arians honored for the AFC coach of the year.
— Christian Okoye (@ChristianOkoye) March 3, 2013
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
For his contributions to the game, Don Shula was given the Lamar Hunt award.
Former Raytown High standout Aldon Smith was there, looking sharp.
Aldon received the NFC Defensive Player of the Year award. Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel was his presenter.
.@aldonsmith donated $5,099 a sack to the Boys & Girls Club of America. At 19.5 sacks, he gave $99,430 of his salary in 2012. #101Awards
— Kansas City Chiefs (@kcchiefs) March 3, 2013
