National Football League

NFL to recognize sportsmanship

Published Dec. 9, 2014 1:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

NEW YORK (AP) The NFL has created a sportsmanship award to be voted on by league players.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the award Tuesday, with each team nominating one of its players during the season. A panel of former players will select eight finalists from the 32 nominees.

Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin will be on the panel, along with Warrick Dunn, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler.

The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award when the players vote on Dec. 19. From the eight finalists, each team's players will submit a consensus vote of its choice for the winner. As in Pro Bowl voting, a team cannot vote for its own player.

The winner will be announced during the nationally televised ''NFL Honors'' show on Jan. 31, the night before the Super Bowl. The Associated Press NFL individual awards are announced during that show.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL