NASHVILLE – Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill is the team's nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
Each NFL team nominated one of its players for the seventh annual 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.
A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community – Warrick Dunn, Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg, and Leonard Wheelers – 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, December 18.
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.
Tannehill, in his second year in Tennessee, was elected a team captain at the start of the season.
A year after guiding the Titans into the AFC Championship Game, Tannehill has thrown for 2,608 yards and 23 touchdowns, with just four interceptions. Tannehill was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the year following last season.
The winner of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award is determined by a vote of current NFL players. 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 winner will be announced as part of NFL Honors. He will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.
Past recipients of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award:
2019: RB Adrian Peterson
2018: QB Drew Brees
2017: LB Luke Kuechly
2016: RB Frank Gore
2015: CB Charles Woodson
2014: WR Larry Fitzgerald
