SAN FRANCISCO — The NFL’s inaugural Protector of the Year award went to one of the most accomplished offensive linemen in the league: Bears left guard Joe Thuney. He won it Thursday at the NFL Honors.
Thuney was a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection this season and was crucial to the Bears’ overhaul of their offensive line. He even filled in at left tackle in the playoff game against the Rams when the Bears lost Ozzy Trapilo to a knee injury.
Thuney beat out the Lions’ Penai Sewell, the Broncos’ Garrett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz, the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey and the Dolphins’ Aaron Brewer.
This was Thuney’s fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection after an outstanding start to his career with the Chiefs and Patriots. He also won two Super Bowls with each of those teams.
