For the most part, the Panthers struck out at last night’s NFL Honors ceremony. Jeremy Chinn was beaten out for Defensive Rookie of the Year by Chase Young, Sam Mills and Jared Allen missed out on the Hall of Fame and Shaq Thompson lost to Russell Wilson in the Walter Payton Man of the Year vote. They did take home one piece of hardware, though.
For-now-starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater won the league’s Art Rooney Sportsmanship award, which is given to players who exemplify how to handle yourself off the field. Running back Christian McCaffrey said Bridgewater is a great teammate.
Christian McCaffrey from NFL Honors: "When we signed Teddy this offseason, I knew we were getting a great player. I didn't know we were getting such a great teammate. He had a long road to get here, but Teddy always finds his blessings. And that positive spirit is contagious."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 7, 2021
Luke Kuechly won the same award back in 2017.
Despite having had a frustrating 2020 season, Bridgewater continues to be nothing but a class-act, even amid speculation that he’s about to be replaced.
Speaking last month on the subject of a new QB coming in, Bridgewater said business is business, per the Athletic.
“I’ve been through so much in my career, and I understand business is business. But that doesn’t affect me. . . Whatever happens this offseason, happens. I’m pretty sure the team will make the best move in the interest of the team. For me, I just have to control what I can control, which is how hard I work, the type of leader that I am, the amount of time and work I put in this offseason.”
Bridgewater hit the exact right note, here. Whatever else he has done on the field, he’s conducted himself flawlessly since signing with the Panthers.
