Jon Hamm Returns to Host NFL Honors for Milestone 15th Anniversary Show
Fifteen years after first attending the inaugural ceremony, acclaimed actor Jon Hamm is set to host the NFL Honors as the league's annual awards show marks its significant anniversary. The event will take place at the historic Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, serving as a key highlight during Super Bowl week festivities.
From Spectator to Host: A Full Circle Moment
When Hamm initially attended the NFL Honors ceremony back in 2012, the show was still establishing its identity within the Super Bowl calendar. "They didn't really know what it was going to be, but it was fun," Hamm recalled during rehearsals, mentioning his enjoyment watching Alec Baldwin host that first event. Now, the Emmy-winning star of "Mad Men" brings extensive hosting experience from shows like Saturday Night Live and the ESPYs to this prestigious role.
The actor emphasised that the NFL Honors requires a specific approach distinct from other hosting gigs. "We're not trying to break new ground in comedy or make anything that's going to offend anybody," Hamm explained. "We're here to celebrate the players and their season and then push everybody into a good mood."
Celebrating Individual Achievements Beyond Team Success
Hamm highlighted how the NFL Honors have evolved into a meaningful occasion for players across the league, particularly those whose remarkable individual accomplishments might otherwise be overshadowed by team postseason results. "You got guys like Myles Garrett breaking the sack record," he noted. "He ain't sniffing the Super Bowl, but it's still something to be celebrated, right?"
The actor described the ceremony as a rare opportunity for players to gather with their peers in recognition of their achievements. "They're in a room with their peers. Everybody knows everybody," Hamm said. "They only play 17, 18 games. It's nice for them to get celebrated the way they should."
Football Fandom and Cultural Connections
A lifelong football enthusiast who grew up supporting St. Louis teams before adopting the Kansas City Chiefs, Hamm acknowledged that hosting requires setting aside team allegiances. "It's not about one team," he emphasised. "It's about honoring the season."
Beyond football, Hamm connected Super Bowl week to broader cultural moments, particularly praising global music sensation Bad Bunny, who will headline the halftime show following his Grammy success. "I was happy to see his success at the Grammys," said Hamm, who attended Bad Bunny's historic residency in 2025 and shares both a birthday and friendship with the Puerto Rican superstar.
"He's a very intelligent guy. He's a wonderful artist, number one streamed artist in the world for a reason," Hamm added. "He's smart enough to realize that engagement is the key."
The Appetiser Before the Main Event
As the NFL Honors celebrates its milestone year, Hamm framed the ceremony as the perfect gathering point before the Super Bowl matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. "The appetiser," he described. "That's what it is."
The show will air nationally on NBC and NFL Network, bringing together football's brightest stars for an evening of recognition and celebration just days before the championship game.
