Ken Anderson NFL MVP Award
Bengals legend and 1981 NFL MVP who set a completion percentage record that stood for 27 years.
Kenneth Allan Anderson (born February 15, 1949) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He later returned as a position coach.
- Role
- Quarterback
- Team
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Award Year
- 1981
- League
- National Football League (NFL)
- Significance
- First and only Bengal QB to win MVP
Lore & Background
Anderson was selected in the third round of the 1971 NFL draft by the Bengals. In 1981, he was awarded NFL Most Valuable Player and NFL Offensive Player of the Year, a season in which he led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance. In 1982, Anderson set an NFL single-season record for completion percentage of 70.6%—which stood for over 25 years until broken by Drew Brees in 2009. As of the end of the 2024 NFL season, the Bengals franchise passing yards record is held by Andy Dalton or Joe Burrow.
In Their Own Story
The roar of Nippert Stadium faded into a distant hum as Ken Anderson stepped onto the field, the crisp autumn air biting at his cheeks. He clutched the football, feeling the familiar laces against his fingertips, knowing this season was different. With every snap, he saw the defense unravel before him, calling out adjustments with calm authority. It wasn't just about throwing a ball; it was about leading a city that had waited years for a moment of true greatness.
Reader's Guide
Anderson led the league in passer rating four times, completion percentage three times and passing yards twice. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 1975. The source does not specify the total number of Pro Bowls he made.
Did You Know?
- Anderson was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame three times.
- He co-owned a 782-acre farm in Kentucky with basketball Hall of Famer Dan Issel.
- Anderson set an NFL single-season completion percentage record of 70.6% in 1982.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the only Cincinnati Bengals quarterback to win an NFL MVP Award?
Ken Anderson holds this distinction as the franchise's sole signal-caller to receive the Associated Press Most Valuable Player honor.
In what year did Ken Anderson earn his MVP status?
He achieved this pinnacle of individual excellence during the 1981 NFL season while leading the Bengals offense.
What position did Anderson play when he won the award?
Anderson served as the starting quarterback, demonstrating exceptional precision and leadership from under center.
Why is Ken Anderson's MVP award considered so important to Bengals history?
It marks the singular peak of individual glory for a Cincinnati quarterback during the team's rise in the early 1980s.
Which organization officially selected Ken Anderson as the NFL MVP?
The Associated Press voted him into this position, recognizing his statistical feat and overall impact on the game.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in the Cincinnati Bengals universe
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