Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs became the first recipient of the NFL’s Jim Brown Award on Thursday night.

The league announced at its 2022 awards program that the NFL’s leading rusher will earn the Jim Brown Award annually.

A former Alabama standout, Jacobs led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards during the 2022 regular season.

“It is a true honor to be named as the first recipient of the Jim Brown Award,” Jacobs said in a release from the NFL. “Jim’s excellence on the football field was unparalleled, and his role as a leader off the field showed his unwavering strength and commitment to the community. Jim’s impact can be felt today, and his legacy continues through everyone that strives to make a difference. I am beyond proud to receive an award named for such a great man.”

Brown played for the Cleveland Browns from 1957 through 1965. In his nine seasons, he led the NFL in rushing eight times, and the three-time NFL MVP is the only player in league history to average more than 100 rushing yards per game during his career.

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The Jim Brown Award was among the many honors presented on Thursday night in Phoenix. Other awards presented included:

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

AP Most Valuable Player: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

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AP Offensive Player of the Year: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Jefferson won the award with 192 points as he received 35 first-place, four second-place and five third-place votes. Mahomes got 10 first-place votes, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (Alabama) got three and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) got one. Hurts placed third in the voting with 52 points as he also received 11 second-place and four third-place votes. Hill had nine second-place and 11 third-place votes for 43 points and a fourth-place finish.

Also among the 12 players receiving votes were Jacobs and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (Alabama). Jacobs finished fifth with nine second-place and five third-place votes for 32 points, and Henry received two fifth-place votes.

In the voting, first-place votes counted five points, second-place votes three and third-place votes one.

AP Defensive Player of the Year: San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa.

Bosa won the award with 237 points as he received 46 first-place, two second-place and one third-place votes. One of the other first-place votes went to New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama), who did not appear on any other ballots. Eagles outside linebacker Haason Reddick got two first-place votes, and Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones got one. Also among the 10 players receiving votes was Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama), who got one third-place vote.

AP Coach of the Year: Brian Daboll of the New York Giants.

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AP Comeback Player of the Year: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.

Smith won the award with 171 points as he received 28 first-place, nine second-place and fourth third-place votes. Sixteen players appeared on the 50 ballots, with Henry and Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith (Greenville) getting one second-place and one third-place vote for four points apiece.

AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson

AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.

Gardner won the award with 242 points as he received 46 first-place and four second-place votes. Among the six players who appeared on the ballots was Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (Lee-Montgomery), who received one third-place vote.

AP Assistant Coach of the Year: San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.

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Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell.

Deacon Jones Award: San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa.

FedEx Air Player of the Year: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

FedEx Ground Player of the Year: Las Vegas running back Josh Jacobs.

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Salute to Service Award: Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera.

NFL Fan of the Year: Larry Bevans for the Seattle Seahawks.

Next Gen Stats Best Moment of the Year: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Bud Light Celly of the Year: Cincinnati Bengals’ roller-coaster celebration.

Also revealed on Thursday night was the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. The newest set of football immortals included former Auburn High School multi-sport athlete and Troy football standout DeMarcus Ware. Also selected for enshrinement were Ronde Barber, Don Coryell, Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, Darrelle Revis, Ken Riley, Joe Thomas and Zach Thomas.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.