Safety Troy Polamalu was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year by NFL 101 Awards.
A national media committee, comprised of 101 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL, selected the winners in each award category in a nationwide vote at the conclusion of the regular season.
The 2010 season award winners will be presented with trophies at the 41st Annual NFL 101 Awards gala in Kansas City Saturday, March 5, at the Westin Crown Center. The prestigious black-tie awards event was founded in 1969.
Other NFL 101 Award winners include: Coach of the Year in the AFC Kansas City's Todd Haley, and in the NFC Atlanta's Mike Smith; and offensive player of the year in the AFC is New England's Tom Brady, and Philadelphia's Michael Vick in the NFC. Green Bay's Clay Matthews was the NFC defensive player of the year.