49ers left tackle Joe Staley is the team’s nominee for the 2017 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award the NFL announced Tuesday.
Left tackle Joe Staley is the #49ers nominee for the 2017 Art Rooney Sportsmanship award, given 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.”
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 14, 2017
Each of the 32 teams nominates a player for the award which is given annually to recognize an individual for great sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for opponents, and integrity in competition. Former 49ers running back Frank Gore won the award last season. Other previous winners are Charles Woodson in 2015 and Larry Fitzgerald in 2016.
Congratulations to the 32 player nominees for the 2017 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award ?
Winner will be determined by a vote of current NFL players & announced at NFL Honors before Super Bowl LII.
Full list ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/eILm4qSxld
— Randall Liu (@RLiuNFL) November 14, 2017
Selected in the first round of the 2007 draft, Staley a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, and still one of the better left tackles in football 10 seasons later. The award will be handed out before Super Bowl LII on February 4 at 5 PM.