National Football League

NFL to name sportsmanship award in honor of Art Rooney

Published Jan. 22, 2015 2:03 p.m. ET

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The NFL will name an annual award recognizing outstanding sportsmanship on the field in honor of the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Art Rooney Sr.

The winner selected by the vote of the players will be announced at the ''NFL Honors'' show on Saturday, Jan. 31 on NBC, the night before the Super Bowl.

The award established this year is determined by a vote of the NFL players. The award will be presented each year to an NFL player who demonstrates on the field the qualities of sportsmanship, respect for opponents, and integrity in competition. He will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.

Each NFL team nominated one player during the season.

The finalists, featuring four players from each conference, were Carolina linebacker Thomas David, Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway, Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu, New England wide receiver-special teamer Matthew Slater, Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith and Denver defensive end DeMarcus Ware. Current players voted on the finalists on the 2015 Pro Bowl ballot on Dec. 19.

Art Rooney Sr. founded the Steelers in 1933 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964.

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