Bills QB Josh Allen has been named the winner of the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
The award is presented each year 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. Allen is the first Bills player to win.
The Bills QB joins a prestigious community of recent winners which includes LB Bobby Wagner, DE Calais Campbell, RB Adrian Peterson, QB Drew Brees and WR Larry Fitzgerald, among others.
Allen's sportsmanship has been on display throughout the 2024 season, despite coming into the year voted as the league's top trash talker, according to a preseason ESPN player survey.
Allen was mic'd up for his 100th career NFL start in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans. While he and All-Pro DT Jeffrey Simmons had competitive words throughout the game, the two showed nothing but class in postgame handshakes.
"You're a baller, man," Allen said to Simmons.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was mic'd up for the Divisional Round game in Buffalo during the Bills 27-25 win. The microphones captured a post game interaction between the two QBs.
"You're a stud, man. I love you," Allen told Jackson.
"Keep doing your thing," Jackson responded.
Allen also praised the Chiefs and QB Patrick Mahomes prior to the AFC Championship in January.
"Patrick is one of the greatest ever to play the game and they're one of the greatest teams to ever be assembled," Allen said.
Created in 2014, the sportsmanship award honors the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney Sr.
Additionally, Allen receives $25,000 for the charity of his choice.
