The National Football League will introduce this year an annual award to recognize NFL players who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday.
The winner of the NFL Sportsmanship Award will be determined by a vote of the NFL players. The award will be 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.
"While we enjoy the incredible performance of NFL players on the field, we must never forget a core value of football that transcends all levels of play and exemplifies the complete athlete--sportsmanship," says executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent. "This award will recognize those who never hesitate to show that excellence in football is not achieved without respect for the game, for their opponents, for the officials and for the fans."
Each team will nominate one of its players for the award during the season. A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community will select from the 32 nominees eight finalists (four in the AFC; four in the NFC). The panel will be comprised of Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler.
The winner selected by the vote of the players will be announced during the nationally televised "Fourth Annual NFL Honors" show on Saturday, Jan. 31 on NBC, the night before Super Bowl XLIX. He will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice. He also will be presented with a trophy that will capture 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 other players at all levels.
