The NFL Honors event has matured significantly since Jon Hamm first attended its early editions, transitioning from a tentative new addition to Super Bowl week into a well-established celebration of the season's outstanding players. Scheduled to stage its 15th iteration in San Francisco on Thursday evening, the show will be broadcast on NBC and the NFL Network just days before the upcoming Super Bowl.
Reflecting on the initial ceremonies, Hamm noted that the event's original organizers were still experimenting with its format. He recalled enjoying the inaugural show hosted by Alec Baldwin in 2012, emphasizing that while the early ceremonies were exploratory, they carried an enjoyable spirit.
Hamm's background in hosting spans prominent programs including Saturday Night Live and the ESPYs, though he acknowledges that the NFL Honors require a distinctive tone. "We’re not trying to break new ground in comedy or make anything that's going to offend anybody," said Hamm, who earned a Primetime Emmy in 2015 for his portrayal of Don Draper on AMC’s "Mad Men." His acting credentials also include roles in "30 Rock," "The Morning Show," and the Apple TV Plus series "Your Friends & Neighbors."
He described the ceremony's purpose as both a tribute to the season's athletes and a way to uplift attendees ahead of the Super Bowl. "We’re here to celebrate the players and their season and then push everybody into a good mood ... I think it’s going to be a pretty good Super Bowl," he said.
Beyond the gridiron, Hamm referenced the wider cultural landscape surrounding Super Bowl week. He pointed to the surge in influence of global music artists such as Bad Bunny, who will headline the halftime show following a successful Grammys ceremony where his album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" was awarded album of the year—a historic first for a Spanish-language album.
Hamm expressed admiration for Bad Bunny’s achievements, citing a personal connection through their shared March 10 birthdays. Having attended the artist’s 2025 residency, he remarked on Bad Bunny’s eloquence, intelligence, and global popularity. "He’s smart enough to realize that engagement is the key. So I applaud him as an artist and as a fellow Pisces and a fellow March 10 birthday man. He’s a good dude," Hamm said.
Regarding the NFL Honors themselves, Hamm observed that the ceremony has become significant for players whose success might not correlate with postseason appearances. He highlighted examples such as Myles Garrett breaking the sack record despite his team not competing in the Super Bowl, asserting these individual accomplishments warrant recognition.
Hamm underscored that the event provides a unique convening point for players throughout the league, who typically meet only during the regular season and playoffs. "They’re in a room with their peers. Everybody knows everybody," he stated. "They only play 17, 18 games ... It’s nice for them to get celebrated the way they should." The actor’s lifelong fandom spans supporting various teams from St. Louis to the Kansas City Chiefs, but he emphasized that hosting the NFL Honors requires setting aside team loyalties. "It’s not about one team," Hamm said. "It’s about honoring the season."
As the NFL Honors celebrate their milestone anniversary, Hamm highlighted the ceremony's role as a cultural gathering during Super Bowl week. He described the night as "the appetizer" to the main event, bringing together players, fans, and the wider sports community before the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots face off in the Super Bowl.
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