The 32 player nominees for the second annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award have been finalized, the NFL announced Wednesday. Each NFL team nominated one of its players for the award, which recognizes NFL players who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.
The Kansas City Chiefs nominee is 11-year linebacker Derrick Johnson.
"It's a big deal," Johnson said. "It's a testament to the way I was raised and having character. Character to me means what you do when no one's looking, on and off the field.
"For me to represent the Chiefs and the guys around me—that means the most to me."
The award was was created last season 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 from the 32 nominees (four in the AFC and four in the NFC). The panel is comprised 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 when players vote on December 18. From the eight finalists, each team's players will submit a consensus vote of its choice for the winner. As in Pro Bowl voting, a team cannot vote for its own player.
In 2014, the players chose Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald as the inaugural winner of the Art Rooney Award.
The winner selected by the vote of the players will be announced during the nationally televised "5th Annual NFL Honors" show on Saturday, Feb. 6 on CBS, the night before Super Bowl 50. 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.
| ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD NOMINEES | |
|
TEAM |
NOMINEE |
|
Arizona Cardinals |
DT Calais Campbell |
|
Atlanta Falcons |
CB Desmond Trufant |
|
Baltimore Ravens |
RB Justin Forsett |
|
Buffalo Bills |
QB Tyrod Taylor |
|
Carolina Panthers |
LB Luke Kuechly |
|
Chicago Bears |
RB Matt Forté |
|
Cincinnati Bengals |
LB Vinny Rey |
|
Cleveland Browns |
QB Josh McCown |
|
Dallas Cowboys |
LB Sean Lee |
|
Denver Broncos |
WR Demaryius Thomas |
|
Detroit Lions |
WR Calvin Johnson |
|
Green Bay Packers |
LB Julius Peppers |
|
Houston Texans |
T Duane Brown |
|
Indianapolis Colts |
QB Matt Hasselbeck |
|
Jacksonville Jaguars |
DT Sen'Derrick Marks |
|
Kansas City Chiefs |
LB Derrick Johnson |
|
Miami Dolphins |
DT Earl Mitchell |
|
Minnesota Vikings |
LB Chad Greenway |
|
New England Patriots |
T Nate Solder |
|
New Orleans Saints |
TE Benjamin Watson |
|
New York Giants |
RB Rashad Jennings |
|
New York Jets |
LB David Harris |
|
Oakland Raiders |
S Charles Woodson |
|
Philadelphia Eagles |
LB DeMeco Ryans |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
CB William Gay |
|
San Diego Chargers |
QB Philip Rivers |
|
San Francisco 49ers |
T Joe Staley |
|
Seattle Seahawks |
WR Jermaine Kearse |
|
St. Louis Rams |
DT Aaron Donald |
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
DT Gerald McCoy |
|
Tennessee Titans |
CB Jason McCourty |
|
Washington Redskins |
RB Alfred Morris |
A collection of photos from 2015 and the career of Chiefs all-time leading tackler Derrick Johnson.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) communicates with teammates during the Dec. 21, 2008 home game against the Miami Dolphins. The Chiefs lost 31-38.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) celebrates a fumble recovery during the Oct. 20, 2013 home game against the Houston Texans. The Chiefs won 17-16.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the National Anthem before the game against the Washington Redskins on Dec 8th.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) signals to his teammates during the Dec. 23, 2006 away game against the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs won 20-9.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon on the 8th of September 2013 at EverBank Field. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jaguars 28-2.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) looks into the offensive backfield during the Nov. 6, 2011 home game against the Miami Dolphins. The Chiefs lost 3-31.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) stands on the field during the Dec. 11, 2005 away game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Chiefs lost 28-31.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) tries to block a pass during the Dec. 17, 2005 away game against the New York Giants. The Chiefs lost 17-27.
Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Tamba Hali (91) and Derrick Johnson (56) warm up before the Aug. 17, 2014 away game against the Carolina Panthers. The Chiefs lost 16-28.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) runs with the ball after making an interception during the Jan. 3, 2009 away game against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs won 44-24.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) stands on the field during the Sept. 7, 2008 away game against the New England Patriots. The Chiefs lost 10-17.
Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Derrick Johnson (56), Justin Houston (50) and Tamba Hali (91) pose for the camera before the 2012 Pro Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) celebrates a touchdown during the Oct. 20, 2013 home game against the Houston Texans. The Chiefs won 17-16.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) tackles a ballcarrier during the Dec. 1, 2013 home game against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs lost 28-35.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) celebrates a big play during the Dec. 1, 2013 home game against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs lost 28-35.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) sacks quarterback Andrew Luck (12) during the Dec. 22, 2013 home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Chiefs lost 7-23.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) interacts with a young fan during a 2014 community relations event.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) enters the field before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013.
