Talanoa Hufanga named as Broncos’ nominee for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga was named as the team's nominee for the 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

Nov 26, 2025, 10:01 AM Updated: 10:09 am

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Talanoa Hufanga has been a force to be reckoned with on the gridiron in his first season with the Denver Broncos. He signed a three-year contract with the orange and blue in the offseason — a deal that came with some risk given his injury history — and has instantly stamped himself as one of the best players on Vance Joseph’s defense.

The 2022 All-Pro nominee is second on the Broncos in tackles (76) and pass deflections this season (9). Whether he’s deep behind the play in pass coverage or rolled up towards the line of scrimmage to help stop the run, he’s been a Swiss army knife that’s taken this defense to the next level.

Joseph recently called Hufanga a “blessing” to have on his defense.

On Wednesday, the 26-year old was nominated for something that has more to do with the man behind the helmet on and off the field.

Congrats to @TalanoaHufanga on being named our 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominee! 👏

📰 » https://t.co/TuPzqOxHms pic.twitter.com/UOtV3mhIAC

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 26, 2025

Hufanga was named as the Broncos’ nominee for the 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, an honor that “recognizes individuals around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship,” per the National Football League.

Each NFL team has one nominee for the Award. Next, the list of 32 will be narrowed down to eight — four from each conference — by Curtis Martin, Larry Fitzgerald, Warrick Dunn and Leonard Wheeler, and those eight players will be put on the Pro Bowl ballot in December. The winner will be voted on by current players around the league.

The Broncos have not had a player win the award since it was first introduced in 2014. Former quarterback Teddy Bridgewater won it in 2020 when he was with the Carolina Panthers.