The NFL has named the eight finalists for the 2019 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. The finalists, featuring four players from each conference, are:

2019 ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FINALISTS

NOMINEE

TEAM

CONFERENCE

DL Calais Campbell

Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC

LB Thomas Davis, Sr.

Los Angeles Chargers

AFC

WR T.Y. Hilton

Indianapolis Colts

AFC

RB Adrian Peterson

Washington Redskins

NFC

WR Matthew Slater

New England Patriots

AFC

QB Matthew Stafford

Detroit Lions

NFC

T Joe Staley

San Francisco 49ers

NFC

S Eric Weddle

Los Angeles Rams

NFC

Staley is a finalist for the fifth consecutive season, while Campbell and Weddle are finalists for the second straight year. Slater, who is a finalist for the first time, has been nominated for the past three years, and Hilton received nominations in 2017 and 2019. Davis, Sr., Peterson and Stafford are all first-time nominees in 2019.

Each NFL team nominated one of its players for the award, which 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.

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 selected the eight finalists from the 32 nominees. The panel is composed of Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler. The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players begin voting on Dec. 5.

The winner 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.

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 will be announced during the NFL Honors show on Saturday, Feb. 1 on FOX, the night before Super Bowl LIV. The player 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.

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