Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins is championing a cause close to the hearts of many offensive linemen: recognition for their often-unsung contributions to the game. Despite their crucial role in protecting quarterbacks, opening lanes for running backs, and essentially making the offense function, offensive linemen lack a dedicated, prestigious award that acknowledges their individual excellence. While they can be named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, Dawkins believes these accolades fall short of truly honoring the unique skills and sacrifices of the men in the trenches. He envisions an award specifically for offensive linemen, a “Protector of the Year” title that would finally place them on equal footing with their offensive counterparts who vie for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and other coveted individual honors.
Dawkins’s advocacy highlights a stark contrast between the NFL and the collegiate level. College football boasts several awards specifically recognizing offensive linemen. The Lombardi Award, given to the best overall lineman (including tight ends and linebackers), the Outland Trophy, awarded to the best interior lineman on either side of the ball, and the Rimington Trophy, honoring the top center in the nation, all showcase the value placed on offensive line play in college. These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also serve as powerful recruiting tools and elevate the profile of the position.
In the NFL, however, offensive linemen find themselves largely overlooked in the individual awards landscape. The league celebrates quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and defensive players with specific awards, but offensive linemen are left to compete for broader accolades like the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which recognizes community service and off-field contributions. While certainly a commendable honor, it doesn’t specifically acknowledge on-field performance, the very essence of an offensive lineman’s job. This disparity in recognition underscores the need for a dedicated award that celebrates the skills, dedication, and often-unheralded sacrifices of these essential players.
Dawkins argues that the success of quarterbacks, running backs, and the entire offense hinges on the performance of the offensive line. Passing titles, rushing titles, and even MVP awards are often a reflection of the protection and opportunities created by the men up front. Without a solid offensive line, quarterbacks are under constant pressure, running backs find nowhere to run, and the entire offense sputters. Yet, the individual brilliance of these offensive linemen often goes unnoticed, lost in the highlight reels of touchdown passes and long runs.
Dawkins has vowed to spearhead the effort to establish an offensive lineman of the year award, emphasizing the need to recognize the “so many greats” who have played the position. He envisions an award that would finally give these unsung heroes the recognition they deserve, placing them alongside the other stars of the game. His determination to see this through before the end of his playing career underscores the importance of this issue to him and likely many other offensive linemen across the league.
The upcoming AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs provided a perfect example of the crucial role offensive linemen play. Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler, faced the daunting task of protecting quarterback Josh Allen against a formidable Chiefs defensive line featuring Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and Leo Chenal. The success of the Bills’ offense rested heavily on the ability of Dawkins and his fellow linemen to neutralize the Chiefs’ pass rush and create running lanes. This high-stakes matchup highlighted the importance of offensive line play and underscored the need for an award that specifically recognizes the contributions of these often-overlooked players. While the outcome of the game wouldn’t directly affect the establishment of such an award, it served as a reminder of the critical role offensive linemen play in the success of their teams.
