Nick Bolton nominated for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
By Matt Conner
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton has been nominated by the team for the 2022 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
The Kansas City Chiefs have put forward Nick Bolton‘s name to the rest of the National Football League to be their nominee for this year’s Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, per a press release on Tuesday.
Each team in the NFL decides on one entrant to be considered among 32 total players for the chance for all players to vote on the Pro Bowl ballot for the ultimate winner. Between now and the players’ vote for this year’s Pro Bowl (and Sportsmanship Award) nods, a panel comprised of former players will decide on the eight total finalists who will be considered on the ballot.
The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award was created back in 2014 to honor the former owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and is given out to a player who “exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship on the field.”
Bolton is a second-year linebacker who has been an immediate catalyst and leader in the heart of the Chiefs’ defense. This year, he largely took over Anthony Hitchens’ former role as communicator who plays nearly 100 percent of all defensive snaps in every game. So far this season, Bolton has 95 tackles and 2 sacks to go with 2 turnovers created (1 forced fumble and 1 interception).
In the eight year history of the Art Rooney award, the Chiefs have never had a player win. If Bolton is selected, he would receive a $25K check from the NFL Foundation for the charity of his choice.