The Denver Broncos have announced that cornerback Pat Surtain II and linebacker Jonathon Cooper have earned awards granted by the Pro Football Writers of America.
Demaryius Thomas Team MVP Award – Pat Surtain II
For the third consecutive year, Surtain has won the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP Award. The award was created in 2021 to honor the life and legacy of the late Demaryius Thomas. The award is given to a Broncos player who exhibits Thomas’ impact on and off the field.
“Pat Surtain, whose day-to-day demeanor is often a reminder of Demaryius’, has won in three of the four years the award has been given and was honored as one of the league’s best, regardless of position,” said ESPN Senior Writer and former national president of the PFWA Jeff Legwold.
On top of having a huge impact off the field, Surtain is having a career year on the field, and is considered to be a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. Some of his season highlights include a 100-yard pick-six, four interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 11 passes defended in 15 games. Additionally, Surtain has allowed the lowest passer rating (56.0) when targeted this year.
“I’d like to thank the local media for honoring me with this award. It’s a special award,” said Surtain. “It’s named after a guy that created the standard here with his humility, his character, the way how he goes about things [and] doing everything right. Doing the right things the right way. That’s who I try to emulate each and every day. It’s a huge honor to receive this award again. I’m very honored and humbled to receive it. Thank you.”
Darrent Williams Good Guy Award – Jonathon Cooper
The PFWA has given Cooper the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award. The award was created to not only honor the life of the late Darrent Williams, but also be given to a player who exemplifies Williams’ enthusiasm, honesty, and cooperation while working with the media.
“Cooper was the winner in a close vote as he was consistently named for his reliability, his candor and his willingness to provide insight without hesitation,” said Legwold.
Cooper joins a distinguished list of 15 Broncos players who have previously received the award since its inception in 2007. The list includes many Broncos legends like John Lynch, Elvis Dumervil, and Champ Bailey.
“[I’m] truly, truly humbled. Thank you to the local media [and] everybody who helps out in that regard,” said Cooper. “I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know quite a few of you. [We have] great relationships down the way, so thank you for this award. [It] definitely means a lot to my heart.”
“[I will] definitely hold this award near to my heart, and I will continue to exude the type of guy that Darrent was, and just continue to work hard. Hopefully make a whole bunch of great relationships and just carry myself well throughout my career. This is like the first award that I’ve gotten. I’m just really humbled and thankful for it. I’m never going to forget his story and what it means to me. Thank you to everybody. Thank you for this award.”
