SAN FRANCISCO (AP) 鈥� When first attended the , the league鈥檚 annual awards show was still finding its footing. It was a relatively new addition to Super Bowl week that had yet to fully define what it would become.
Now, the Emmy-winning actor will take the stage as host as the NFL Honors mark their 15th anniversary on Thursday night in San Francisco. The show, airing on NBC and NFL Network, will serve as a capstone to the season just days before the
鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 really know what it was going to be, but it was fun,鈥� Hamm said Wednesday after rehearsals at the Palace of Fine Arts. The actor said he enjoyed watching Alec Baldwin host the first-ever ceremony in 2012.
Hamm brings extensive hosting experience to the role, having previously led shows ranging from to the ESPYs. But he said the NFL Honors require a specific approach.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not trying to break new ground in comedy or make anything that鈥檚 going to offend anybody,鈥� said Hamm, who won a 2015 Primetime Emmy for his portrayal of Don Draper on AMC’s 鈥淢ad Men.鈥� He’s also appeared in projects including 鈥�30 Rock,鈥� 鈥淭he Morning Show” and now the Apple TV Plus series 鈥淵our Friends & Neighbors.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e here to celebrate the players and their season and then push everybody into a good mood … I think it鈥檚 going to be a pretty good Super Bowl,鈥� he said.
Beyond football, Hamm said Super Bowl week reflects a larger cultural moment, including the rise of global music stars such as who is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show after coming off a major Grammys night 鈥� where his project won . It鈥檚 the has taken home the top prize.
鈥淚 was happy to see his success at the Grammys,鈥� said Hamm, who attended Bad Bunny鈥檚 historic residency in 2025. He and the Puerto Rican superstar have become friends and even share the same birthday.
鈥淗e was beautifully eloquent. 鈥� He鈥檚 a very intelligent guy. He鈥檚 a wonderful artist, number one streamed artist in the world for a reason,鈥� he said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 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鈥檚 a good dude.鈥�
Hamm said the NFL Honors have grown into something meaningful for players across the league, especially those whose accomplishments are not always tied to postseason success. He pointed to standout individual achievements that still deserve recognition.
鈥淵ou got guys like Myles Garrett breaking the sack record,鈥� Hamm said. 鈥淗e ain鈥檛 sniffing the Super Bowl, but it鈥檚 still something to be celebrated, right?鈥�
The NFL Honors have evolved into a night players anticipate, Hamm said, in part because of the rare opportunity it gives them to gather in one place.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e in a room with their peers. Everybody knows everybody,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey only play 17, 18 games. 鈥� It鈥檚 nice for them to get celebrated the way they should.鈥�
A lifelong football fan, Hamm grew up in St. Louis following the Cardinals and Rams before later rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. Hosting the ceremony, he said, means stepping back from team allegiances.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not about one team,鈥� Hamm said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about honoring the season.鈥�
As the NFL Honors celebrate their milestone year, Hamm said the night is ultimately about bringing people together before the Super Bowl matchup between the and He said the ceremony is a gathering point during the week.
鈥淭he appetizer,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what it is.鈥�
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