Nick Chubb named finalist for NFL Sportsmanship Award
Georgia fans (and really football fans across the country) have known the kind of player Nick Chubb is for quite some time. However, the NFL recognized Chubb not for the player that he is on the field but for the person that he is off of it this week naming in one of four finalists for the NFL’s Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
Per the league’s announcement on social media Friday morning, “the award goes 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.”
A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community selected the eight finalists from the 32 NFL club nominees. The panel is comprised of Warrick Dunn, Larry Fitzgerald, Curtis Martin and Leonard Wheeler. The eight finalists were listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category.
“It’s been a pleasure to read and learn about this year’s nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award who are displaying the characteristics of his legacy and truly showing what it means to continue to live it out,” Dunn said. “The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award represents teamwork, competitiveness, hard work and integrity, while on the field. These are qualities that I believe every NFL player should strive to achieve.”
Other finalists include defensive end Calais Campbell of the Baltimore Ravens, defensive end Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders, defensive end Jerry Hughes of the Houston Texas, linebacker Lavonte David of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, running back Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings, running back Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers and fullback Kyle Juszczyk of the San Francisco 49ers.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Tony Bennett retires
Virginia coach abruptly steps down
- 2
Herbie rips OSU fans
Kirk Herbstreit defends Will Howard
- 3Hot
Travis Hunter vs. Ashton Jeanty
Buffs star compares himself vs. Ashton Jeanty
- 4
Highest Paid CFB Coaches
USA Today ranks Top 25 highest-paid college football coaches
- 5New
Isaiah Bond
Steve Sarkisian addresses injury update on Texas star WR
On the field, Chubb, in his fifth season with the Cleveland Browns, has 1,119 rushing yards and 12 scores on 217 attempts this season. That rushing yardage is good for second in the league behind Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, Chubb’s total of 12 runs 20 yards or more is tops among NFL backs with a long of 41 on the season. He’s totaled 5,935 rushing yards and 48 rushing touchdowns in 70 career games.
Chubb’s time in Athens, Ga. went pretty well too, ending with him ranked No. 2 on the school’s all-time leading rusher list behind Herschel Walker. He stands shoulder to shoulder with Walker when it comes to seasons of 1,000-yard or more, totaling three. Walker had three in three years and Chubb had three in four years due to a gruesome knee injury suffered in game six of the 2015 season. Nick Chubb was averaging over eight yards per carry in 2015 when he got hurt.
He returned in 2016 to rush for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries in his first game back from the knee injury. He then piled up 1,345 yards and 15 touchdowns in his senior season as the Bulldogs won an SEC Championship and a Rose Bowl en route to the National Championship game.
