NFL Honors
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The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the league's most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971. Multiple-award winners include Lawrence Taylor, who won it three times, and Joe Greene, Mike Singletary, Bruce Smith, Reggie White, and Ray Lewis, who each won it twice. Lawrence Taylor is the only player to win the award as a rookie, and James Harrison is the only one to win it as an undrafted free agent. Most recently, in 2012 and 2013, two second year players won this award: JJ Watt and Luke Kuechly of the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers.
During the respective seasons, a Defensive Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Month are also announced.
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Date Established : 1971
Check all the winners of AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award presented under NFL Honors since 1971 .
