John Michael Schmitz Nominated for 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

John Michael Schmitz, the center for the New York Giants, has been nominated for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. This prestigious award, created in 2014 to honor the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Art Rooney Sr., recognizes players who exemplify fair play and respect for the game and their opponents.

The nomination highlights Schmitz's exemplary sportsmanship both on and off the field. Since starting his NFL career with the Giants last season, he has been actively involved in supporting the Homewood-Flossmoor United Football and Cheer program, which helped him develop his love for the sport. Additionally, Schmitz has demonstrated leadership qualities by stepping up when the team needs a leader, as he emphasized during the offseason: `When times are tough, you really know who a true leader is. When you hit adversity, you hit a tough time. All the guys look to someone, and I want to be that for our room and take charge.`

The selection process for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award involves a panel of retired players, including Warrick Dunn, Larry Fitzgerald, Curtis Martin, and Leonard Wheeler. They will select eight finalists (four from each conference) who will be presented on the Pro Bowl Ballot. Current NFL players will then vote to choose the award winner, with each team's players submitting a consensus vote. The award winner will be announced in New Orleans, Louisiana, in February 2025 and will receive a $25,000 donation to a charity of their choosing.