New York Jets offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson has been nominated for the NFL's first "Sportsmanship Award." The award is given to a player that "demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition."

Ferguson, 30, was originally selected by the Jets with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Since that time, Ferguson has established himself as one of the NFL's best offensive lineman.


In nine seasons, Ferguson has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times. He has started every game of his NFL career. 

Joining Ferguson, each NFL team had a nomination as well. Those players are the following: 
Arizona Cardinals - WR Larry Fitzgerald
Atlanta Falcons - RB Steven Jackson
Baltimore Ravens - WR Torrey Smith
Buffalo Bills - WR Chris Hogan
Cincinnati Bengals - CB Terence Newman
Carolina Panthers - LB Thomas Davis
Chicago Bears - RB Matt Forté
Cleveland Browns - CB Joe Haden
Dallas Cowboys - TE Jason Witten
Denver Broncos - DE DeMarcus Ware
Detroit Lions - WR Calvin Johnson
Green Bay Packers - WR Jordy Nelson
Houston Texans - DE J.J. Watt
Indianapolis Colts - WR T.Y. Hilton
Jacksonville Jaguars - DT Roy Miller 
Kansas City Chiefs - QB Alex Smith
Miami Dolphins - DE Cameron Wake
Minnesota Vikings - LB Chad Greenway
New England Patriots - WR/ST Matthew Slater
New Orleans Saints - WR Marques Colston
New York Giants - LB Jameel McClain
Oakland Raiders - S Charles Woodson
Philadelphia Eagles - LB Connor Barwin
Pittsburg Steelers - S Troy Polamalu
San Diego Chargers - TE Antonio Gates
San Francisco 49ers - LB Patrick Willis
Seattle Seahawks - LB K.J.

Wright
St. Louis Rams - DE Robert Quinn
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DT Gerald McCoy
Tennessee Titans - S George Wilson
Washington Redskins - S Ryan Clark

A panel of former players --including Leonard Wheeler, Curtis Martin, Warrick Dunn and Karl Mecklenberg-- will select four finalists from both the AFC and NFC. The winner will then be selected via vote of current NFL players. A team is not permitted to vote for its own player.

The winner will be announced at the "NFL Honors" the day before the Super Bowl, will receive a trophy and a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice. 

Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for About.com Sports. He can be reached on twitter: @Connor_J_Hughes, or via email: Connor_J_Hughes@yahoo.com