Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins wants offensive linemen to start getting some recognition.
While the offensive linemen are named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro teams, there currently is not an offensive lineman of the year award or anything of that ilk.
“Offensive linemen don’t have awards for being great. There’s not a ‘Protector of the Year’ award. I’m knocking on so many doors now to get this award going. I’m gonna head spear it and make sure this gets done before I’m done playing,” Dawkins said during his press conference on Thursday.
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“Because there’s so many greats. So many greats. We have great quarterbacks, we have great running backs, we have rushing titles, we have quarterback passing titles. All of those titles are reflections of the O-lineman, which are the protectors.”
At the college level, offensive linemen are recognized with numerous different awards.
The Lombardi Award is awarded to the best college football lineman of the year, tight end or linebacker. This season, it was awarded to Texas Longhorn left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Banks also won that award this season.
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Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, #73, leaves the field after winning a game against the San Francisco 49ers to clinch the AFC East title at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)
The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the best center, which was given to Ohio State Buckeye’s star center Seth McLaughlin.
The NFL awards the MVP, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, Walter Payton Man of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The only award offensive linemen have a realistic chance of winning is Walter Payton Man of the Year, an award given for acts of service to the community, which is an off-the-field award.
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Buffalo Bills Dion Dawkins, #73, blocks for quarterback Josh Allen, who sneaks in for a touchdown, during first half action in the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Jan. 19, 2025. (IMAGN)
Dawkins has spent all eight seasons of his career with the Bills, which will be put the test this weekend when the Bills take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler, will be tasked with stopping star defensive lineman Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Leo Chenal and others who will try to pursue Josh Allen.
The Bills and Chiefs are set to play at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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Buffalo Bills star offensive lineman Dion Dawkins recently expressed his belief that there should be a new award added to the NFL’s annual honors – a “Protector of the Year” award for offensive linemen.
In a recent interview, Dawkins discussed the importance of the offensive line in the success of a team and how often their hard work and contributions can go unnoticed. He emphasized that offensive linemen are tasked with protecting the quarterback and creating running lanes for the running back, making them vital components of a team’s success.
Dawkins suggested that an award specifically recognizing the efforts of offensive linemen would be a way to highlight their importance and give them the recognition they deserve. The “Protector of the Year” award would shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the gridiron and showcase their impact on the game.
With offensive linemen often overshadowed by flashy skill position players, Dawkins’ proposal for a new award could bring a greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication of these crucial players. As the backbone of any offense, offensive linemen deserve recognition for their contributions to the success of their team.
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