Two former Alabama All-Americans are among the nominees for the NFL’s 2022 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry and Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II were among the 32 nominees for the award revealed on Tuesday. Each NFL team nominated one player.
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Henry and Surtain also were nominated for the award last season, when New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater won.
The award is presented annually to the NFL player “who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents and integrity in competition.”
The 32 nominees will be reduced to eight finalists – four from each conference – by four players from the NFL Legends Community. The eight finalists selected by Warrick Dunn, Larry Fitzgerald, Curtis Martin and Leonard Wheeler will appear on the Pro Bowl ballot distributed to NFL players next month, and the players’ vote will determine the winner of the award.
The winner will be announced during the annual NFL Honors program in February. The winner will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation for the charity of his choice.
The award has been presented annually since 2014.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.