The NFL announced the finalized list of 32 players nominated for the eighth annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. One player from each NFL team was selected.
The award, created in 2014, is presented each year to an NFL player who demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition. The award honors and is named after the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Art Rooney, Sr.
A panel from the NFL Legends Community — Warrick Dunn, Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, Leonard Wheeler and 2014 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award recipient Larry Fitzgerald — will select eight finalists (four in the AFC and four in the NFC) from the 32 nominees. Those eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players vote later in December.
2021 ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD NOMINEES
Team |
Player |
|
Team |
Player |
Arizona Cardinals |
Budda Baker |
|
Las Vegas Raiders |
Derek Carr |
Atlanta Falcons |
Jake Matthews |
|
Los Angeles Chargers |
Derwin James |
Baltimore Ravens |
Lamar Jackson |
|
Los Angeles Rams |
Jordan Fuller |
Buffalo Bills |
Josh Allen |
|
Miami Dolphins |
Jason McCourty |
Carolina Panthers |
Frankie Luvu |
|
Minnesota Vikings |
Adam Thielen |
Chicago Bears |
Roquan Smith |
|
New England Patriots |
Matthew Slater |
Cincinnati Bengals |
Stanley Morgan |
|
New Orleans Saints |
Cameron Jordan |
Cleveland Browns |
Nick Chubb |
|
New York Giants |
James Bradberry |
Dallas Cowboys |
Dak Prescott |
|
New York Jets |
C.J. Mosley |
Denver Broncos |
Pat Surtain II |
|
Philadelphia Eagles |
Darius Slay |
Detroit Lions |
Jamaal Williams |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
Ben Roethlisberger |
Green Bay Packers |
Aaron Jones |
|
San Francisco 49ers |
Kyle Juszczyk |
Houston Texans |
Brandin Cooks |
|
Seattle Seahawks |
Tyler Lockett |
Indianapolis Colts |
DeForest Buckner |
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Lavonte David |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
Shaquill Griffin |
|
Tennessee Titans |
Derrick Henry |
Kansas City Chiefs |
Patrick Mahomes |
|
Washington Football Team |
Landon Collins |
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 for the winner of their choice. Similar to Pro Bowl voting, a team cannot vote for its own player.
The winner will be announced as part of NFL Honors and will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.
PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Year |
Player |
Team |
2020 |
QB Teddy Bridgewater |
Carolina Panthers |
2019 |
RB Adrian Peterson |
Washington Football 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 |