CLEVELAND — The National Football League announced the finalists for the 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award on Tuesday, and while Browns nominee Nick Chubb didn’t make the cut, some Northeast Ohio natives did.
Chubb was not among the eight finalists for the award, which has been presented each year since 2014 to an NFL player who “best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship.” Qualities of sportsmanship include fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.
While it’s unfortunate Chubb will not receive the award for the second straight year, he’s a winner in the hearts of Browns fans everywhere.
That said, someone from Northeast Ohio still might bring home the award.
Cleveland Heights native Jason Kelce, a center on the Philadelphia Eagles, and Medina native Kyle Juszczyk, a fullback on the San Francisco 49ers, were both named finalists for the sportsmanship award.
Kelce and Juszczyk were selected, along with six others, by a panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community—Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler.
The Northeast Ohio natives will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot and voted on by current NFL players.
Kelce and Juszczyk are both first-time nominees for the award.
Announced as part of NFL Honors, the winner will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of their choice.
Here is the list of the eight finalists for the 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award:
| NOMINEE | TEAM | CONFERENCE | |
| QB Teddy Bridgewater | Carolina Panthers | NFC | |
| DE Calais Campbell | Baltimore Ravens | AFC | |
| LB Lavonte David | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | NFC | |
| DT Cameron Heyward | Pittsburgh Steelers | AFC | |
| DE Justin Houston | Indianapolis Colts | AFC | |
| FB Kyle Juszczyk | San Francisco 49ers | NFC | |
| C Jason Kelce | Philadelphia Eagles | NFC | |
| WR Matthew Slater | New England Patriots | AFC | |
RELATED: Browns RB Nick Chubb nominated for 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
