San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley has been selected as one of eight finalists for the third annual *Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award *for the second-consecutive season. The award was created in 2014 in honor of the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney, Sr. It 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.

A panel comprised of Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler selected the eight finalists from the 32 nominees from each NFL team. The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players vote on Friday, December 16. From the eight finalists, each team's players will submit a consensus vote of their choice for the winner. As in Pro Bowl voting, a team cannot vote for its own player.

The winner selected by the vote of the players will be announced during the nationally televised NFL Honors show on Saturday, February 4 on FOX, the night before Super Bowl LI. For winning the award, Staley would receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice. He will also receive a trophy that represents the important role sportsmanship plays in the game and how NFL players that demonstrate integrity and honor on the field serve as role models for players at all levels.

**2016 ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FINALISTS

**

Player

NFL Team

Conf.

Pos.

College

NFL Exp.

Brian Cushing

Houston Texans

AFC

LB

Southern California

8

Frank Gore

Indianapolis Colts

AFC

RB

Miami

12

Greg Olsen

Carolina Panthers

NFC

TE

Miami

10

Julius Peppers

Green Bay Packers

NFC

LB

North Carolina

15

Darren Sproles

Philadelphia Eagles

NFC

RB

Kansas State

12

Joe Staley

San Francisco 49ers

NFC

T

Central Michigan

10

DeMarcus Ware

Denver Broncos

AFC

LB

Troy

12

Marshal Yanda

Baltimore Ravens

AFC

G/T

Iowa

10