INDIANAPOLIS — The best quarterbacks bring fans out of their seats. Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning did exactly that Saturday night when the NFL Most Valuable Player accepted the trophy from the only four-time winner of the award.

The Green Bay quarterback won the 2011 Associated Press award in a landslide. Manning, the hometown hero who didn't play a down this season because of neck surgery, handed it to him. Manning was greeted with a standing ovation when he came on stage at the Murat Theatre during "NFL Honors," a primetime special on NBC.

"It means a lot to be recognized as a consistent player and contributing on my team," Rodgers said. "I think it's an award that relies on a player having the support of his teammates, obviously, guys blocking, guys running, guys catching, guys making plays. But I'm very honored to receive the award."

Rodgers earned 48 votes to two for New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (who won Offensive Player of the Year) in balloting by 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL.

Other winners included:

• Baltimore defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs, Defensive Player of the Year.

• San Francisco's rookie coach Jim Harbaugh, Coach of the Year.

• Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, Comeback Player of the Year.

The top two picks in April's draft took the rookie awards: Carolina QB Cam Newton and Denver linebacker Von Miller.