Brian McCarthy, the NFL vice president of communications and chief spokesperson, has been named the 2026 Horrigan Award winner, recognized for his professional dealings with the media that cover the league.
Brian McCarthy has spent years becoming the familiar voice behind the NFL’s media coverage — the one who fields requests. clarifies policies. and connects the league to the reporters chasing every deadline. Now. that work has earned him the biggest nod the Professional Football Writers of America can give to an NFL or team communications official.
McCarthy. the NFL vice president of communications and chief spokesperson. won the 2026 Horrigan Award. as voted on by the Professional Football Writers of America. It makes him the 54th winner of the award and the seventh member of the NFL’s league communications office to receive it. His name joins Joe Browne (1985), Leslie Hammond (1995), Greg Aiello (1999), Steve Alic (2007), Michael Signora (2013 and 2022) and Randall Liu (2018).
The Horrigan Award is presented to a league or club official for qualities and a professional style that help pro football writers do their job. The award’s history is tightly woven into the sport’s communications world: Jack Horrigan was a sportswriter for UPI and the Buffalo Evening News. served as public relations director for the American Football League from 1963 to 1966. and later became the NFL vice president of public relations for the Buffalo Bills from 1966 to 1973. Joe Horrigan — who is in his 47th year with the Pro Football Hall of Fame — has served in roles including senior advisor. executive director. executive vice president of museums. selection process and chief communications officer. and vice president of communications and exhibits.
McCarthy’s recognition comes with a clear resume of responsibilities. He joined the NFL in 1994 and, as chief spokesperson, facilitates national and local media requests. He serves as the point person on off-the-field matters that range from league policies to stadium issues to personal conduct matters. His role also includes helping promote major league events, including the NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Draft and schedule release. McCarthy was named to the league’s chief spokesperson role in 2022.
The 2026 nominees reflected the same communications-and-operations lane, with 49ers General Manager John Lynch and NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent among those in the running.
For McCarthy, the award is both a milestone and a confirmation of the job he’s been doing at the center of the NFL’s day-to-day relationship with the media — the conversations that shape how writers prepare, publish, and move forward with what comes next.
Brian McCarthy NFL Horrigan Award Professional Football Writers of America communications chief spokesperson league media
So he’s basically the guy who talks to reporters all day? Congrats I guess.
Wait the award is for being good with the media?? That seems kinda like… PR wins. Like shouldn’t it be for winning games or something.
It says he’s the point person on personal conduct matters and stadium issues… so does that mean he was involved with that whole punishment stuff? I’m not saying anything, just seems weird that communications gets an award for that.
Horrigan Award… I thought Horrigan was like some player name lol. Also 54th winner and 7th NFL comms person?? Kinda wild how many of these are just NFL people. I swear every year it’s the same league winning awards, but maybe that’s the point of it.