2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

“Sportsmanship is the core of the game, the vanguard of the public confidence, the keeper of game integrity. These Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominees exemplify the spirit of fair play and the values of respect, integrity, commitment to team and resiliency at the highest level of competition.”

       - Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations

Named in honor of founding Pittsburgh Steelers owner, the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award does just that. It honors sportsmanship in the NFL. The announcement of the nominees for this prestigious award comes a couple days after the league suspended Kareem Jackson for a second time this season. The dipshit safety of the Denver Broncos had just come off of a suspension for using his person and helmet as a missile. On Monday, he celebrated his return to the game by launching his person and helmet into Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs. Jackson was suspended again. After that very unsportsmanlike stunt, the NFL could use some sportsmanship. 

The 32 nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship award is topped by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Danielle Hunter. 

Danielle Hunter was selected by the Vikings in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In severe contrast to Kareem Jackson, Hunter has just eight career penalties for 52 yards. Here’s a look at each of those eight penalties. It doesn’t take long to list them all. 

2023: vs Saints: Illegal use of the hands, 5 yards.

-the interesting thing about this infraction is that Hunter is the one that had his helmet popped off

2022: vs Cardinals: Offsides, 5 yards

2019: vs Lions: Holding, 5 yards

2018: vs Packers: Holding, 5 yards

2017: vs Bears: Neutral zone infraction, 2 yards

2016: vs Colts: Illegal use of the hands, 5 yards

2015: vs Chiefs: Illegal block above the waist, 10 yards

2015: vs Bears: Facemask, 15 yards

Danielle Hunter has never been cited for an unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. He might be the only top pass rusher to never treat a quarterback in an illegal manner. In today’s NFL, that seems impossible. 

Danielle Hunter is quiet on and off the field. The only thing loud about him is his play. This has been his loudest season. Other than a questionable call against the Saints, he’s done it in the most sportsmanlike manner. 

The other 31 nominees for the 2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

Jake Matthews, Atlanta Falcons

Kevin Zeitler, Baltimore Ravens

Mitch Morse, Buffalo Bills

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers

T.J. Edwards, Chicago Bears

Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals

Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Lloyd Cushenberry III, Denver Broncos

Taylor Decker, Detroit Lions

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

Robert Woods, Houston Texans

Deforest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts

Foyesade Oluokin, Jacksonville Jaguars

Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs

Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers 

Jordan Fuller, Los Angeles Rams

Durham Smythe, Miami Dolphins

David Andrews, New England Patriots

Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints

Bobby Okereke, New York Giants

C.J. Moseley, New York Jets

Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles

Larry Ogunjobi, Pittsburgh Steelers

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers

Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morgan Cox, Tennessee Titans

Logan Thomas, Washington Commodores 

Congratulations to the 32 nominees. Especially Danielle Hunter.