Steelers Special Teams Captain Miles Killebrew Nominated for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

Chris Ward |

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

Steelers SS Miles Killebrew Ravens — Pittsburgh Steelers special teams captain Miles Killebrew is blocked by Devin Duvernay of the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 9, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers have nominated special teams captain Miles Killebrew for the 11th annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, the team announced on Monday afternoon.

The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award is presented to a player for their on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition. The award was created in 2014 to honor Art Rooney Sr., the founder of the Steelers and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A player from each NFL team is nominated and eight finalists, four in each conference, will be selected by members of the NFL Legends Community. The winner of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award will be announced during the NFL Honors ceremony, and a $25,000 donation will be made to the charity of their choice.

Larry Ogunjobi was the Steelers’ nominee for the award in 2023. Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Heyward and James Conner have also been nominated in recent years. While the award is named after “The Chief,” it has yet to be won by a Steelers player since its creation in 2014.

Killebrew, who earned first-team All-Pro honors on special teams last year, was named a special team captain for a third straight year in 2024.

“It’s an honor. There’s no other way to describe it,” Killebrew said of being a captain, via Steelers.com. “Definitely something I don’t take for granted. To be voted for by my peers here in the locker room means a lot. I take great responsibility for it moving forward. I’ve got to be a huge support for my guys on team as well.

“When coach said my name, it felt just as exciting as the first time. I was completely thrilled and humbled. It’s definitely a moment for me to step up and be what my teammates need me to be, which is someone who holds the standard.”

Pittsburgh Steelers Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Nominees

2023 DT Larry Ogunjobi
2022 OLB Alex Highsmith
2021 QB Ben Roethlisberger
2020 DT Cam Heyward
2019 RB James Conner
2018 OG David DeCastro
2017 DT Cam Heyward
2016 OLB Arthur Moats
2015 CB William Gay

Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Winners

2023 Seattle Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner
2022 Baltimore Ravens DE Calais Campbell
2021 New England Patriots ST Matthew Slater
2020 Carolina Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater
2019 Washington Redskins RB Adrian Peterson
2018 New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees
2017 Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly
2016 Indianapolis Colts RB Frank Gore
2015 Oakland Raiders DB Charles Woodson
2014 Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald