The NFL recently announced the nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Every team selects one candidate, and for the Dallas Cowboys this year that candidate is running back Ezekiel Elliott.
The 32 nominees for the 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. pic.twitter.com/ZjiF0VBe7Z
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 3, 2020
The Art Rooney Award was created just over five years ago, was named after the legendary Steelers owner, and honors a player whose impact is more than just statistical.
According to the NFL, “The award will be presented each year to an NFL player who demonstrates on the field the qualities of great sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for opponents, and integrity in competition.
“A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community — Warrick Dunn, Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler — will select eight finalists (four in the AFC and four in the NFC) from the 32 nominees. The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players vote on Friday, Dec. 18.”
Recent nominees from the Cowboys include, Jason Witten, Sean Lee, Brandon Carr, Travis Frederick, Dak Prescott, Byron Jones in 2019, and now Elliott. A Dallas candidate has never been selected as the NFC East finalist.
The list of previous winners are all Hall of Fame caliber players on the field, and Hall of Fame caliber men off the field. Larry Fitzgerald took home the inaugural award, followed by Charles Woodson, Frank Gore, Luke Keuchly, Drew Brees, and Adrian Peterson last season. Joining any list with the likes of those names is something every player should strive for.
The full list of the 32 nominees can be found here at this link.
[listicle id=659241][listicle id=659286][lawrence-newsletter]