Tyrann Mathieu and the New Orleans Saints haven’t been having the kind of season they were hoping to have entering the year. New Orleans is currently 4-7, and the team had a seven-game losing streak that resulted in Dennis Allen being fired. Still, the team has been fighting, trying to make something of the season.
Amongst all the chaos, there have still been special moments for the franchise, like Mathieu having the opportunity to play the twilight years of his career for his home team. With one year remaining on his contract after this season, the veteran safety has been open about his desire to retire with the Saints.
With that day not far away, Mathieu is making sure to commit everything and embrace every moment. His appreciation for the game was recently exemplified through an award nomination. On Monday, it was reported the Saints nominated Mathieu for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
Here are the 32 nominees for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award pic.twitter.com/sHPA93Fx4F
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 25, 2024
Saints nominate Tyrann Mathieu for 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award is an annual award given 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 award honors Pittsburgh Steelers’ founding owner Art Rooney Sr.
Each team nominates one player, and a panel of former players cuts the list down to eight finalists— four players from each conference. Then, current NFL players will vote for the winner when they submit their Pro Bowl ballots.
It makes sense that Mathieu, who is a three-time Pro Bowler, has been nominated for this award. The veteran safety has been a model player on and off the field throughout his NFL career. That’s why he has also been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award by two different franchises throughout his career.