Following each season, Capital Area Team Sports ("CATS") presents a series of GRIDIRON AMERICA awards, at both the team and player levels, recognizing outstanding achievement both on and off the field.
AmeriBowl Championship Trophy
AmeriBowl Championship Game Most Valuable Player Award
The club operating the championship team in each GRIDIRON AMERICA season receives permanent possession of the AmeriBowl Championship Trophy, emblematic of their supremacy among participating clubs. In addition, players from the championship team shall receive shirts, medals, plaques, or similar mementos of their achievement. Each AmeriBowl Championship Game also concludes with the presentation of an MVP award to the player deemed most valuable to his team's victory in the game.
The President's Cup
The club operating the team which wins the league's regular season championship (most standings points, applying tiebreakers if necessary) shall receive permanent possession of the President's Cup, commemorating their achievement.
Most Valuable Player Award
Presented to the player judged most valuable to his team's success on the field during the regular season, the GRIDIRON AMERICA Most Valuable Player is nominated by either team captains or GRIDIRON AMERICA game supervisors and officials. Its recipient is then chosen by a vote of team captains.
The John C. Unitas Award
The Unitas Award is presented to GRIDIRON AMERICA's best passer, using a rating system which utilizes performance statistics such as pass completion percentage, percentage of passes thrown for touchdowns, and percentage of passes thrown for interceptions. A passer must have an average of 10 passing attempts per game during the regular season to qualify for the Unitas Award.
The Walter J. Payton Award
The Payton Award is presented to the league's top rusher, as determined by a rating system which takes into account a player's total rushing attempts, 6-point and 7-point rushing touchdowns, with points deducted for fumbles.
The Donald M. Hutson Award
The Hutson is presented to the league's most prolific pass receiver, as determined by their number of receptions in regular season play. Should two or more players have an identical number of receptions, touchdown receptions shall break any tie.
The Raymond E. Nitschke Award
The Nitschke Award is presented to the league's best defensive player, as determined by a point system which awards points for sacks, interceptions, safeties, interceptions returned for touchdowns, and defensive returns.
The Louis R. Groza Award
The Groza Award is presented to the league's best kicker each season, as determined by a statical formula that factors in kickoffs, punts, kickoff accuracy, touchbacks, singles and field goals.
The Gale E. Sayers Award
The Sayers Award is presented to the league's best kick/punt returner each season, as determined by a point system which awards points per return, as well as for returns for touchdowns.