Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Patterson/AP/Shutterstock (13634383eu) Houston Texans defensive lineman Jerry Hughes (55) rushes during an NFL game against the Washington Commanders, in Houston Commanders Texans Football, Houston, United States – 20 Nov 2022
Texans DL Jerry Hughes named finalist for 2022 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
The NFL announced the four finalists from each conference, including the Houston Texans defensive lineman.
On Thursday, the NFL officially announced the four finalists from each conference for the 2022 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Included in the AFC finalists was Houston Texans defensive lineman Jerry Hughes.
Hughes was joined in the AFC by defensive lineman Calais Campbell (Baltimore Ravens), running back Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns), and defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders). Running back Dalvin Cook (Minnesota Vikings), linebacker Lavonte David (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), running back Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers), and fullback Kyle Juszczyk (San Francisco 49ers) are the finalists from the NFC.
Texans Head Coach Lovie Smith has recognized Hughes’ leadership by stating, “It says a lot when you’re Jerry Hughes, and you will be one of the defensive captains when you’ve only been in the building less than a year, to have that kind of impact on your teammates. Jerry’s a veteran rusher and a veteran player that’s done it the right way all his career.”
Texans Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire has also praised Hughes’ integrity noting, “There’s nothing that he does that surprises me. It’s the consistency. He’s the same person all the time. I always say to people, how you do one thing is how you do everything. That’s how he is.”
The Sugar Land, Texas native, returned home in 2022 to play for the Texans, where he has posted 8.0 sacks, which is tied for 11th-most in the NFL and the third-most he’s recorded through the first 13 weeks of any season in his career. The team captain has also recorded three multi-sack games, tied for the second-most multi-sack games in the NFL this season.
The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award was created in 2014 in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Art Rooney Sr. The winner of the NFL Sportsmanship Award is determined by a vote of current NFL players.
