The NFL announced the nominees for the 2019 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award and veteran left tackle Joe Staley is, once again, the San Francisco 49ers' representative. Staley has ended up as one of the eight finalists for the award in each of the last four NFL seasons.
The Art Rooney Sportsmanship, created in 2014, is presented annually 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. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors presentation before the Super Bowl, and he will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.
No 49ers player has ever won the award. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was last year's recipient.
Staley has been plagued by injuries this season, playing in just three games due to a fractured fibula suffered during Week 2 and then a fractured/dislocated finger sustained on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks. The offensive lineman is expected to miss at least the next two games after undergoing surgery this week.
Staley, a 13-year veteran, has spent his entire NFL career with the 49ers. He started at least 15 games during seven of his previous eight seasons and all 16 during six of those, including 2018.
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