Back to Updates
2018 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Nominees Announced
The NFL has announced the 32 player nominees, one from each NFL team, for the 2018 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
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. It is presented each year to an NFL player who best demonstrates on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.
Eight finalists will be selected from the 32 nominees by a panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community. The eight finalists (four from the AFC and four from the NFC) will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players vote on Friday, Dec. 14. As in Pro Bowl voting, a team cannot vote for its own player.
| Past Award Recipients | ||
| YEAR | PLAYER | TEAM |
| 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 award winner will be announced during the NFL Honors show on Saturday, February 2, the night before Super Bowl LIII. He will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.
| 2018 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Nominees | |
| TEAM | NOMINEE |
| Arizona Cardinals | DT Corey Peters |
| Atlanta Falcons | C Alex Mack |
| Baltimore Ravens | S Eric Weddle |
| Buffalo Bills | DT Kyle Williams |
| Carolina Panthers | DE Julius Peppers |
| Chicago Bears | C Cody Whitehair |
| Cincinnati Bengals | WR A.J. Green |
| Cleveland Browns | OL Joel Bitonio |
| Dallas Cowboys | QB Dak Prescott |
| Denver Broncos | DT Domata Peko |
| Detroit Lions | LS Don Muhlbach |
| Green Bay Packers | CB Tramon Williams |
| Houston Texans | CB Johnathan Joseph |
| Indianapolis Colts | QB Andrew Luck |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | DE Calais Campbell |
| Kansas City Chiefs | WR Sammy Watkins |
| Los Angeles Chargers | TE Antonio Gates |
| Los Angeles Rams | RB Todd Gurley |
| Miami Dolphins | RB Frank Gore |
| Minnesota Vikings | DE Danielle Hunter |
| New England Patriots | WR Matthew Slater |
| New Orleans Saints | QB Drew Brees |
| New York Giants | TE Rhett Ellison |
| New York Jets | DL Steve McLendon |
| Oakland Raiders | QB Derek Carr |
| Philadelphia Eagles | QB Carson Wentz |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | G David DeCastro |
| San Francisco 49ers | T Joe Staley |
| Seattle Seahawks | WR Tyler Lockett |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | LB Lavonte David |
| Tennessee Titans | QB Marcus Mariota |
| Washington Redskins | TE Vernon Davis |
NFL Football Operations’ mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. Football is an essential piece of America’s fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. We honor the game’s history while continuing to innovate and preserve the sport for future generations of fans, players, coaches, teams and officials.
© 2024 National Football League. All rights reserved.