The Bears’ nominee for the 10th annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which honors NFL players who exhibit exceptional sportsmanship on the field, is linebacker T.J. Edwards. One player from each NFL team is nominated for the award.
In 2014, the award was established to honor Art Rooney Sr., the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is given annually to an NFL player who best exemplifies the values of on-field sportsmanship, such as integrity in competition, fair play, and respect for opponents and the game.
“This is really the first award I’ve received with this meaning behind it, so it’s cool,” Edwards replied. It’s not what I’m trying to find.
Along with enjoying the game, I also enjoy spending time outside with my brothers, who I work with every day. Everything moves so quickly. All I’m trying to do is enjoy myself to the fullest and live in the present.
“I make an effort to conduct myself appropriately. The best thing in the world is that I get to play my favorite game every day.”
About 20 miles northwest of Halas Hall, in Lake Villa, Illinois, Edwards grew up rooting for the Bears. He signed a three-year contract with his hometown team, the Bears, after playing for the Eagles for his first four NFL seasons. He has performed admirably in his first season.
Edwards leads the defense with 119 stops as of Week 12, making history as the first Bears player to record 110 tackles in the first ten games of a season. In addition, he has recorded 2.0 sacks, five tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
“I’ve been a fan of the game for a long time,” he stated. “I was raised on it. My Sundays consisted of sitting down to watch football and dreaming of coming back here one day. I simply want to keep playing this game for as long as I can because I really enjoy it. I am aware that doing the right things both on and off the field will undoubtedly improve my chances.”
As an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin, Edwards joined the Eagles in 2019 and left after the 2022 season as the team’s top tackler on a Super Bowl-winning squad. With the Bears, he has continued to play the same role.
General manager Ryan Poles described him as a leader on this team. “I would define him by saying he’s a guy that just does everything the right way, and that’s why he’s a perfect candidate for this award.”
Out of the 32 nominees, eight finalists—four in the AFC and four in the NFC—will be chosen by a panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community, including Warrick Dunn, Larry Fitzgerald, Curtis Martin, and Leonard Wheeler.
When players cast their ballots in December, the eight finalists will be included on the Pro Bowl ballot in the NFL Sportsmanship Award category.
NFL players cast their votes to choose the recipient of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. The players on each team will cast a group vote to determine which of the eight finalists will win. A team is not allowed to vote for its own player, just like in the Pro Bowl.
In addition to receiving a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to the charity of his choice, the winner will be revealed as part of NFL Honors.
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