Tight end Darnell Washington is the winner of the 2025 NFL Way to Play Award for Week 11.
This is the eighth year for the award, which was created to raise awareness of proper playing technique and to reward those who lead by example at all levels of football.
Washington won the honor for his 31-yard catch and run in a 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, where he properly used the stiff arm and more to ward off defenders.
"Three levels of defenders," said Troy Vincent, the Executive Vice President of NFL Operations. "Watch his effort at every level. Look at the first stiff arm. Not illegal. Great distance between him and the tackler.
"He goes to the next level and runs through a second defender.
"Then he keeps eating. He gets the defensive back who wants no part of this.
"Last time I saw something like this you were looking at videos of Jim Brown back in the day. Excellent job, Darnell."
The award was implemented with the idea of player safety and showing big-time plays can be made in the right manner.
Washington will receive a $5,000 equipment grant through USA Football to be awarded to the local youth or high school football program of his choice.
