Seattle wideout Jermaine Kearse is one of 32 nominees for the NFL's second annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Each team nominated one of its players for the award which recognizes athletes who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.
The award was created last season in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney, Sr. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was the award's inaugural recipient.
A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community will help determine this year's winner, with Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg, and Leonard Wheeler selecting eight finalists from the 32 initial nominees. The eight NFL Sportsmanship Award finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot when current players vote on Dec. 18, when teams will submit a consensus vote for the award's winner.
Outside of Kearse, this year's Sportsmanship Award nominees include a few more players with Seahawks ties. Former Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, now with the Indianapolis Colts, and former Seahawks running back Justin Forsett, now with the Baltimore Ravens, are also up for the honor, as is Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant, the younger brother of former Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant.
The award's winner will be unveiled Saturday, Feb. 6 during the nationally televised "5th Annual NFL Honors" show set to take place the night before Super Bowl 50, when he'll receive a trophy and $25,000 donation to a charity of his choice.
2015 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 |
