Browns All-Pro Joel Bitonio nominated for meaningful award

Cleveland Browns’ longest-tenured player is up for an award along with 31 other players around the NFL.

All-Pro LG Joel Bitonio has been nominated as the Browns representative for the 2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award recognizes those who demonstrate the qualities of on-field sportsmanship. This includes fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition. In 2024, the award came about honoring the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney Sr.

Bitonio is in season No. 10 with Cleveland and has been to five Pro Bowls and is a two-time All-Pro.

Through his years with the Browns, he’s seen plenty of losses with the bad years between 2014-23. As he’s gotten older, it seemed that Bitonio was becoming better and better as a. His fifth year in the NFL was his first of five Pro Bowls in a row, he’s been an All-Pro the last two.

Throughout his career, Bitonio has helped protect many quarterbacks that have come through the Browns quarterback carousel. Through everything, Bitonio has remained a great locker room presence and leader by example.

The winner will be announced at NFL Honors the week of the Super Bowl in February.