User:Lizard the Wizard/Pre-1961 AP MVP

Sources wildly differ when it comes to pre-1961 AP NFL MVPs, with no clear consensus. So far, this Pro Football Weekly article is the only explanation I've found as to why that is. Apparently, the AP goofed, and their attempt to cover up the goof created even more confusion. This page is an attempt to gather as many high-quality sources as possible for each variation, to determine which players should be listed at Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award, and how the list should be presented.

Brown, Conerly, Van Brocklin
The following sources list Jim Brown for 1958, Charlie Conerly for 1959, and Norm Van Brocklin for 1960:

Brown, Unitas, Van Brocklin
The following sources list Jim Brown for 1958, Johnny Unitas for 1959, and Norm Van Brocklin for 1960:
 * 1) Contemporary newspapers show Brown as the 1958 winner and Unitas as the 1959 winner.
 * 1) Contemporary newspapers show Brown as the 1958 winner and Unitas as the 1959 winner.
 * 1) Contemporary newspapers show Brown as the 1958 winner and Unitas as the 1959 winner.
 * 1) Contemporary newspapers show Brown as the 1958 winner and Unitas as the 1959 winner.

Marchetti, Conerly, Van Brocklin/Schmidt
The following sources list Gino Marchetti for 1958, Charlie Conerly for 1959, and Norm Van Brocklin/Joe Schmidt tie for 1960:

Van Brocklin/Schmidt
The following sources state Van Brocklin and Schmidt shared the award in 1960, but do not display a list of winners:

No award in 1960
The following sources state there was no AP award for 1960:
 * 1) Contemporary newspapers did not run any AP MVP stories.

Other
The following sources state the award was first given in 1957, but do not display a list of winners:

"First awarded in 1961"
The following sources either begin their list with 1961 or state the award was first given in 1961: