The 32 player nominees for the sixth annual ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD have been finalized, the NFL announced today. Each NFL team nominated one of its players for the award, which recognizes players around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field.
The award was created in 2014 in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer ART ROONEY, SR.
A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community – WARRICK DUNN, Pro Football Hall of Famer CURTIS MARTIN, KARL MECKLENBURG and LEONARD WHEELER – will select eight finalists (four in the AFC and four in the NFC) from the 32 nominees. The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players vote on Friday, December 13.
The winner of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award is determined by a vote of current NFL players. From the eight finalists, each team's players will submit a consensus vote of their choice for the winner. As in Pro Bowl voting, a team cannot vote for its own player.
The award is presented each year to an NFL player who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.
PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
| YEAR | PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | QB Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints |
| 2017 | LB Luke Kuechly | Carolina Panthers |
| 2016 | RB Frank Gore | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2015 | CB Charles Woodson | Oakland Raiders |
| 2014 | WR Larry Fitzgerald | Arizona Cardinals |
The winner, selected by the vote of the players, will be announced during the nationally televised NFL Honors show on Saturday, February 1 on FOX, the night before Super Bowl LIV. He will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice. He will also receive a trophy that represents the important role that sportsmanship plays in the game and how NFL players that demonstrate integrity and honor on the field serve as role models for players at all levels.
2019 ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD NOMINEES
Arizona Cardinals: C A.Q. Shipley
Los Angeles Chargers: LB Thomas Davis Sr.
Atlanta Falcons: WR Julio Jones
Los Angeles Rams: S Eric Weddle
Baltimore Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson
Miami Dolphins: C Daniel Kilgore
Buffalo Bills: LB Lorenzo Alexander
Minnesota Vikings: DE Danielle Hunter
Carolina Panthers: RB Christian McCaffrey
New England Patriots: WR Matthew Slater
Chicago Bears: DB Kyle Fuller
New Orleans Saints: T Terron Armstead
Cincinnati Bengals: DE Sam Hubbard
New York Giants: DL Dalvin Tomlinson
Cleveland Browns: RB Nick Chubb
New York Jets: DL Steve McLendon
Dallas Cowboys: CB Byron Jones
Oakland Raiders: QB Derek Carr
Denver Broncos: LB Von Miller
Philadelphia Eagles: QB Carson Wentz
Detroit Lions: QB Matthew Stafford
Pittsburgh Steelers: RB James Conner
Green Bay Packers: CB Tramon Williams
San Francisco 49ers: T Joe Staley
Houston Texans: QB Deshaun Watson
Seattle Seahawks: LB K.J. Wright
Indianapolis Colts: WR T.Y. Hilton
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Lavonte David
Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Calais Campbell
Tennessee Titans: C Ben Jones
Kansas City Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes
Washington Redskins: RB Adrian Peters
