Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker named finalist for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker has been named one of eight finalists for the 2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which is presented each year to an NFL player who demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.
The other finalists are Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack, Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley, Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner.
The award was created in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney, Sr.
It’s the fourth time Baker has been nominated for the honor, but this is the first time he’s been named a finalist.
“It’s a great honor. It shows a lot of respect and I know it’s definitely a blessing for me,” Baker said after Thursday’s practice. “I’m just going to continue to be who I am, continue to try and play the game the right way on and off the field. I’m definitely excited to be a finalist.”
A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community selected the eight finalists from 32 NFL club nominees. The panel is comprised of former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin and Leonard Wheeler. Fitzgerald won the inaugural award in 2014.
“I have enjoyed the process of learning about the men that have been nominated for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award,” Fitzgerald said. “Each nominee has displayed the character of Mr. Rooney’s legacy. The award represents teamwork, competitiveness, hard work and integrity, while on the field.”
The winner of the award will be determined by a vote of current NFL players and will be announced as part of NFL Honors before Super Bowl LVIII.
Previous winners of the award are former Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (as a member of the Ravens), Patriots receiver Matthew Slater, Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, former Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson (as a member of the Commanders), Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, Colts running back Frank Gore, Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson and Fitzgerald.
Hollywood’s heel
Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has been dealing with a bruised heel for the past few weeks and is hopeful to play Sunday when the Cardinals host the 49ers.
“I feel like it’s day-to-day,” he said, adding he plans to play through the pain like he did two weeks ago against the Steelers.
Brown didn’t catch a single pass in Arizona’s 24-10 victory at Pittsburgh, and he said the two lengthy weather delays didn’t help matters.
“That was tough. That was hard for me,” he said. “Me being out there was no good for the team so I kind of got out of the game and tried to get healthy. … The weather delay killed me, but we’ve got guys here who stepped up and we got the W, so that was great.”
Injury report
Tight end Geoff Swaim (back) was the only member of the Cardinals who did not practice on Thursday, but 11 other players were limited, including Brown.
The others were linebacker Krys Barnes (ribs), running back Emari Demercado (neck), punter Blake Gillikin (back), cornerbacks Antonio Hamilton (groin), Starling Thomas V (ankle) and Bobby Price (quadriceps), safety Jalen Thompson (toe), defensive lineman Kevin Strong (knee), guard Elijah Wilkinson (neck) and receiver Michael Wilson (neck).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals safety Budda Baker named as a finalist for Art Rooney award
