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Joe Flacco reflects on winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Posted on by Kennedy
Joe Flacco reflects on winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Joe Flacco is the impetus for a major change in winning a major NFL award. He's not sure how to take it.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year for the 2023 season after leading the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs while playing just five regular-season games beginning in December.

The 39-year-old last played a full season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2017 and has not had an injury break since then.

Flacco got the nod for Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills defenseman who nearly died on the field but was revived in a game late in the 2022 season. Hamlin appeared in five games in 2023.

The Associated Press, which presents the award, emphasized during the offseason that recovery from injury – and not just improvement in play – was the main criterion for receiving the award.

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Joe Flacco on winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year

“I felt a little weird getting that, but at this point in my career I'm like, 'Whatever, dude, give me that,'” Flacco said with a laugh on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday.

Flacco also wondered whether he should take the AP's change personally: “I feel like this is a shot at me. 'We gave Joe Flacco this award? We can't do this anymore.'”

Joe Flacco says he has to “trick” himself to stay calm

Flacco has played most of the last three games for the Colts (3-3), including two wins. In contrast to second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson's boom-or-bust tendencies, he provided a steady presence. Richardson (oblique) will likely play in Week 7 against the visiting Miami Dolphins.

Flacco said he plays mind games with himself to some degree on the field.

“I try to put on a good face and make myself think (I'm calm),” he said. “When you deceive yourself… your mind is at its best.

“If you start thinking about (poor results), you will speed things up. You won’t see things as well, you’ll be moving your feet way too much.”

“I think it's constantly this game in your head where you have to sit down and relax. People talk about the speed of the game. … It usually speeds things up when you make the moment too big.”

Joe Flacco stats

In 4 appearances

71 of 108 passes (65.7%) for 716 yards and 7 touchdowns with 1 interception. He was fired six times.

Joe Flacco contract

The 39-year-old joined the Colts in the offseason on a one-year deal that counts $5 million against the salary cap, according to Spotrac.

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