NFL Stars Gather In San Francisco For Honors Night

San Francisco is buzzing with NFL excitement as the 15th annual NFL Honors, presented by Invisalign, prepares to take center stage on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The iconic Palace of Fine Arts will host this star-studded event, and actor Jon Hamm is set to bring his signature charm as the evening’s host. With the NFL’s most prestigious awards on the line, anticipation is at a fever pitch among players, coaches, and fans alike.

The NFL Honors is more than just another awards show—it’s a celebration of the league’s brightest stars and most inspiring stories from the 2025 season. This year, the ceremony will be broadcast live at 9 p.m. EST on NBC and NFL Network, with streaming options available on Peacock and NFL+. For those eager to catch the glamour and interviews before the main event, the NFL Honors Red Carpet Show will air at 8 p.m. EST on NFL Network, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the league’s elite as they arrive in style.

Among the highlights of the night, Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras will represent his team as the club’s winner for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. This honor, one of the league’s most respected, recognizes players for their excellence both on and off the field. Karras’s nomination underscores his commitment to community service and leadership, making him a standout both in the locker room and beyond.

But the Bengals’ presence at NFL Honors doesn’t end there. The ceremony will also feature the highly anticipated announcement of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Two Bengals legends, Willie Anderson and Ken Anderson, are among the finalists hoping to secure their place in football immortality. Ken Anderson, one of three senior player finalists, and Willie Anderson, one of 15 Modern Era finalists, have both left indelible marks on Cincinnati’s football history. Their potential induction would be a proud moment not just for the franchise, but for Bengals fans everywhere.

As the awards are handed out, the league will honor the AP Most Valuable Player, FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year, and a host of other accolades. The night is sure to be filled with emotional speeches, heartfelt thanks, and perhaps a few surprises. Who will take home the hardware? With so many deserving candidates, it’s anyone’s guess until the envelopes are opened.

The NFL Honors week isn’t just about awards—it’s a full-blown football festival in San Francisco. Earlier in the week, the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games brought together the league’s finest athletes for a showcase of skill and camaraderie. Detroit Lions fans had plenty to cheer about as a contingent of their stars made their mark on the Pro Bowl stage. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown dazzled with his playmaking ability, scoring against the AFC and celebrating with teammates in front of a roaring crowd. Linebacker Jack Campbell and running back Jahmyr Gibbs also represented Detroit, each making key plays and demonstrating why they’re considered among the league’s rising talents.

St. Brown’s touchdown was a highlight reel moment, electrifying the NFC sideline and igniting celebrations with Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. The sights and sounds of the Pro Bowl—players laughing, exchanging jerseys, and sharing in the joy of the game—offered a reminder of football’s unique ability to unite even the fiercest competitors. Detroit’s quarterback Jared Goff also took the field, showing poise and leadership as he connected with stars from across the conference.

Meanwhile, the Lions’ defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has been grabbing headlines of his own. After suffering a broken leg in Week 6 of the previous season, Hutchinson stormed back to earn his second Pro Bowl selection, notching 14.5 sacks, 54 tackles, and four forced fumbles. His resilience has made him a finalist for both Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell, another Detroit standout, is a finalist for the inaugural Protector of the Year award after allowing just one sack and six quarterback hits all season. Sewell’s dominance in the trenches has earned him his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s premier blockers.

As the NFL Honors unfolds, all eyes will be on the red carpet and the stage, but the festivities are just a prelude to the grand finale: Super Bowl LX. NBC will broadcast the big game on Sunday, February 8, 2026, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. EST. The matchup is shaping up to be one for the ages, and the energy in San Francisco is palpable as the city welcomes fans from across the country.

For the Bengals, the NFL Honors represents both a celebration of the present and a nod to the past. Ted Karras’s nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award highlights the team’s commitment to character and community, while the Hall of Fame candidacies of Willie Anderson and Ken Anderson invite reflection on the franchise’s storied legacy. Will this be the year the Andersons finally receive their gold jackets? The football world waits with bated breath.

Detroit’s contingent, meanwhile, is riding high after an impressive Pro Bowl showing and a season marked by individual excellence. The recognition of players like Hutchinson and Sewell speaks to the Lions’ resurgence as a force in the NFC. With stars shining on both sides of the ball, Detroit fans have reason to believe that even bigger moments are on the horizon.

As the NFL Honors gets underway, the league takes a moment to recognize not just the statistics and records, but the stories of perseverance, leadership, and sportsmanship that define football at its best. Whether it’s a comeback from injury, a lifetime of service, or a season of dominance, each honoree adds a new chapter to the NFL’s rich tapestry.

With the red carpet rolled out and anticipation at a fever pitch, San Francisco is ready for a night that will celebrate the game’s greatest achievements and set the stage for an unforgettable Super Bowl weekend. Stay tuned—tonight, football’s biggest stars will shine even brighter.