Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker received the 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award during the NFL Honors event on Thursday. The award recognizes players who demonstrate exceptional sportsmanship, fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity throughout the NFL season.
Background on the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award and Previous Cardinals Recipients
The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, named after the late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney, has celebrated players since 2014. Budda Baker is the latest from the Cardinals to earn this honor, following wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who received the award in its inaugural year and was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday. Meanwhile, Calais Campbell, although then a Baltimore Ravens player, previously won the award in 2022 and now plays for the Cardinals.
Selection Process and Baker’s Role in Arizona
Each NFL team nominates one candidate for the award, from which a panel of former players chooses eight finalists. The ultimate winner is decided through a vote by NFL players. This season, Budda Baker earned the league-wide recognition after being nominated by Arizona six times.
Baker, 30, completed his ninth NFL season in 2025 and has built a reputation as a passionate leader with relentless energy on the field. Despite the Cardinals’ struggles in the latter half of the season and missing the playoffs, he maintained a remarkable presence, playing 98% of defensive snaps across 16 games. Additionally, Baker earned his eighth Pro Bowl selection, alongside Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.
Other Finalists for the 2025 Sportsmanship Award
The other players who made the finalists list for this year’s award included:
- Lavonte David, linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Demario Davis, linebacker, New Orleans Saints
- Brian O’Neill, offensive tackle, Minnesota Vikings
- DeForest Buckner, defensive tackle, Indianapolis Colts
- Harrison Phillips, defensive tackle, New York Jets
- Zach Sieler, defensive tackle, Miami Dolphins
- Kyle Van Noy, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Impact of the Award and Future Outlook
The winner of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award receives a $25,000 donation from the NFL’s foundation to contribute to a charity of their choice, highlighting the league’s commitment to community impact. Budda Baker’s recognition not only underscores his individual dedication to fairness and leadership but also reflects positively on the Arizona Cardinals organization. Looking ahead, Baker’s consistent performance and character set a standard for teammates and young players across the league.
“on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents and integrity in competition.” – Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award description
