Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker and defensive team captain Foye Oluokun is nominated for the 2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, the NFL announced Wednesday.
“He plays the game right,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said of Oluokun on Wednesday. “He comes into work every day, puts in the time. A great leader on and off the field. He plays hard. Like I said, he just plays it the right way.
“He never misses a day. You can count on him. He’s accountable and he’s very deserving of this honor.”
Oluokun, 28, was signed by the Jaguars last offseason after he played his first four NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. In his first season with Jacksonville, he led the NFL in tackles. So far this year, Oluokun has 107 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.
All 32 teams elect a nominee for the award, which was first created in 2014. No Jaguars player has won before, although the team’s former defensive lineman Calais Campbell won the honor last season while with the Baltimore Ravens.
The winner will be determined by a vote of current NFL players, who are not allowed to vote for their teammate. The award will be announced at the NFL Honors show before Super Bowl LVIII.
