'I felt a little weird': Joe Flacco on winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year over Damar Hamlin

Joe Flacco is the impetus for a significant change in earning a major NFL award. He isn't sure how to take it.

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

The 39-year-old last played a full season in 2017 with the Baltimore Ravens, and he hadn't missed time due to injury since.

Flacco got the nod over Damar Hamlin , the Buffalo Bills defensive back who nearly died on the field but was resuscitated in a game late in the 2022 season. Hamlin appeared in five games in 2023.

The Associated Press, which gives the award, emphasized in the offseason that recovery from injury − and not simply improved play − is the primary criteria for earning the honor.

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Joe Flacco on winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year

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

Flacco also wondered if he should take the AP's change personally: "I kind of feel like that's a shot at me. 'We gave Joe Flacco that award? We can't do that anymore.'"

Joe Flacco says he has to 'trick' himself into staying calm

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

Flacco said he's playing mind games with himself on the field, to a degree.

"I try to put on a good face and trick myself into thinking (I'm calm)," he said. "When you trick yourself ... that's when your mind's at your best.

"If you start thinking about (bad outcomes), you're going to speed things up. You're not going to see things as well, you're going to be moving your feet way too much.

"I think it's constantly that game in your mind to get yourself to sit there and relax. People talk about the speed of the game. ... It's making the moment too big that usually speeds things up."

Joe Flacco stats

In 4 appearances

71-of-108 passing (65.7%) for 716 yards and 7 touchdowns with 1 interception. He has been sacked six times.

Joe Flacco contract

The 39-year-old joined the Colts in the offseason one a 1-year contract that counts $5 million toward the salary cap, according to Spotrac .

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 'I felt a little weird': Joe Flacco on winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year over Damar Hamlin