The Art McNally Award is an annual award created in 2002 by the then National Football League (NFL) Commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, and given to an NFL game official who exhibits exemplary professionalism, leadership, and commitment to sportsmanship, on and off the field. This award was presented at the Pro Bowl until 2019 and is now presented at the annual NFL officiating clinic held each July in Dallas.[1]
The award is named after Art McNally, an NFL game official from 1959 to 1967 and supervisor of officials from 1968 to 1990. From 1996 until 2015, he served as an assistant supervisor of officials and officiating observer.[2] Tagliabue said of McNally, "Art McNally truly represented the qualities that are inscribed on the award. His dedication to the game and his professionalism and class on and off the field set the standard."[3]