There were many mixed emotions at Halas Hall on Wednesday that had nothing to do with the team’s practice or anything on the field. The members of the Pro Football Writers of America’s Chicago chapter announced Bears tight end Cole Kmet as the 2022 Jeff Dickerson Good Guy Award winner. The award was presented on the one-year anniversary of Jeff Dickerson’s passing, the long-time Bears beat reporter for ESPN Chicago. The award was renamed in his honor last year shortly after he passed away from colon cancer.
2022 Jeff Dickerson Good Guy Award winner: TE Cole Kmet. pic.twitter.com/7JyGHa3MjT
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) December 28, 2022
The award is presented to the player or players that are most cooperative and willing to speak with the media throughout the season. Kmet is someone who has provided thoughtful answers in his press conferences and made himself available whenever possible to reporters inside the locker room. The award was presented by Dickerson’s parents, George and Sandy.
Cole Kmet was recognized as the Jeff Dickerson Good Guy Award winner, presented with George and Sandy Dickerson. He said of the honor: “To get an award in his name is really special.” pic.twitter.com/00RVLLDTgc
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 28, 2022
Kmet, the third-year tight end who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, was very appreciative of the award as someone who grew up a Bears fan. He was familiar with Dickerson’s reports and radio hits prior to his Bears career. “To get an award in his name is really special,” Kmet said via 670 The Score’s Chris Emma.
The award was established in 2013. Previous winners include:
- 2013: Josh McCown
- 2014: Ryan Mundy
- 2015: Matt Slauson
- 2016: Tracy Porter
- 2017: Zach Miller
- 2018: Prince Amukamara
- 2019: Allen Robinson II
- 2020: Mitchell Trubisky
- 2021: Tashaun Gipson and Robert Quinn
