The eight finalists for the 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award were announced yesterday by The National Football League. This prestigious award is given each year to an elite NFL player who has demonstrated on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game, and integrity in competition. Four players from each conference are featured in the nomination list.
The finalists are defensive end CALAIS CAMPBELL (Baltimore), defensive tackle CAMERON HEYWARD (Pittsburgh), defensive end JUSTIN HOUSTON (Indianapolis) and wide receiver MATTHEW SLATER (New England) in the AFC, and quarterback TEDDY BRIDGEWATER (Carolina), linebacker LAVONTE DAVID (Tampa Bay), center JASON KELCE (Philadelphia) and fullback KYLE JUSZCZYK (San Francisco) in the NFC.
Four former players, all members of the NFL Legends Community, selected the eight finalists from all 32 NFL teams. The panel consisted of WARRICK DUNN, CURTIS MARTIN, KARL MECKLENBURG, and LEONARD WHEELER.
“You try to think about the man who is representing the organization, their teammates and also what they are doing on the football field – the impact they are having,” said DUNN “You want guys who display leadership, who go above and beyond, who think about their teammates before they think about themselves. It is always hard to narrow down the list of individuals for this award.”
Created in 2014, the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award honors the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer ART ROONEY, SR. The winner of the award will be revealed at NFL Honors during Super Bowl LV weekend February 6th-7th 2021. The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category. The winner will be chosen by current NFL players and each team will submit their consensus vote. A team may not vote for their own team member.
This will be Campbell’s third consecutive season as a nominee, whereas Slater is a finalist for a second straight year and third time overall. David is enjoying his third nomination, while Heyward has gotten his second nomination for the award. Bridgewater, Houston, Juszczyk, and Kelce are all nominated for the first time this season.
