The NFL on Tuesday announced defensive tackle DeForest Buckner as one of the eight finalists for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
The winner will be determined by a vote of current NFL players, and will be announced during NFL Honors on Feb. 5, 2026, during Super Bowl week.
Nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award are recognized for exemplifying outstanding sportsmanship on the field, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents and integrity on competition. Buckner was nominated by the Colts for the award in November, marking the fifth consecutive time Buckner has earned the team's nomination.
"Sportsmanship is at the very the core of the game, the foundation of our values that are shared across all levels of the sport," said Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations. "These Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominees demonstrate to the world how the game is played with respect and integrity at the highest level of competition."
The other finalists are Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler, Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy, Jets defensive tackle Harrison Phillips from the Jets, Vikings offensive tackle Brian O'Neil, Bucs linebacker Lavonte David and Saints linebacker Demario Davis.
Buckner, who's currently on injured reserve, has four sacks, nine tackles for a loss and 42 total tackles in nine games this season.
The last Colts player to win the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award was running back Frank Gore, who took home the honor in 2016.
