32 PLAYER NOMINEES FOR 2016 ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD ANNOUNCED-- WINNER TO BE REVEALED AT NFL HONORS BEFORE SUPER BOWL LI

The 32 player nominees for the third 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.

The winner of the NFL Sportsmanship Award is determined by a vote of current NFL players. A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community will select eight finalists (four in the AFC and four in the NFC) from the 32 nominees. The panel is comprised of WARRICK DUNN, CURTIS MARTIN, KARL MECKLENBURGand LEONARD WHEELER.

The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players vote on Friday, December 16. 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.
Last year, the players selected CHARLES WOODSON of the Oakland Raiders as the recipient of the 2015 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. LARRY FITZGERALD of the Arizona Cardinals was the inaugural winner of the award in 2014.

The winner selected by the vote of the players will be announced during the nationally televised NFL Honors show on Saturday, February 4 on FOX, the night before Super Bowl LI. 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.

2016 ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD NOMINEES

​TEAM
NOMINEE

Arizona Cardinals
DT Calais Campbell

Atlanta Falcons
FB Patrick DiMarco

Baltimore Ravens
G Marshal Yanda

Buffalo Bills
DT Kyle Williams

Carolina Panthers
TE Greg Olsen

Chicago Bears
LB Sam Acho

Cincinnati Bengals
WR A.J. Green

Cleveland Browns
T Joe Thomas

Dallas Cowboys
CB Brandon Carr

Denver Broncos
LB DeMarcus Ware

Detroit Lions
S Glover Quin

Green Bay Packers
LB Julius Peppers

Houston Texans
LB Brian Cushing

Indianapolis Colts
RB Frank Gore

Jacksonville Jaguars
LB Paul Posluszny

Kansas City Chiefs
LB Derrick Johnson

Los Angeles Rams
DE Robert Quinn

Miami Dolphins
T Branden Albert

Minnesota Vikings
CB Terence Newman

New England Patriots
S Devin McCourty

New Orleans Saints
T Zach Strief

New York Giants
WR Victor Cruz

New York Jets
WR Brandon Marshall

Oakland Raiders
QB Derek Carr

Philadelphia Eagles
RB Darren Sproles

Pittsburgh Steelers
LB Arthur Moats

San Diego Chargers
QB Philip Rivers

San Francisco 49ers
T Joe Staley

Seattle Seahawks
WR Tyler Lockett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DT Gerald McCoy

Tennessee Titans
QB Marcus Mariota

Washington Redskins
QB Kirk Cousins