The Los Angeles Rams public relations staff, which was lauded for excelling in helping Southern California and national media cover the club during a season when the Rams advanced to Super Bowl LIII, has been selected as the 2019 Pete Rozelle Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
The Rams PR staff, the 30th Rozelle Award winner, earned the award for the second time in franchise history (1997).
The other 2019 nominees for the Rozelle Award were the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and the New England Patriots.
The Rozelle Award is given to the NFL club public relations staff that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. The award is named for Rozelle, NFL commissioner from 1960-89, who started his distinguished career in sports PR roles as a student at both Compton (Calif.) Junior College and the University of San Francisco. After two more years as USF’s assistant athletic director after graduation, he broke into the NFL as the PR director of the Los Angeles Rams from 1952-55. Rozelle used his PR principles as commissioner to build relationships with the media during a period of unprecedented growth and challenge for the league.
During the 2019 season, the Rams’ PR staff consisted of Artis Twyman (senior director of communications) along with Julia Faron (manager, communications), Tiffany White (lead communications specialist), Travis Langer (coordinator, communications), Joanna Hunter (senior director of corporate communications) and Chase Isaacs (communications specialist). The Rams were also assisted by interns Morgan Evans, Chris Licata and Ryan Perez.
“The Rams didn’t quite get it done in Super Bowl LIII, but I think the media relations staff, headed by Artis Twyman, has developed into one of the best in the NFL,” said Jarrett Bell, USA Today NFL columnist. “Champions in their own right. So, kudos to Artis, Tiffany White, Julia Faron, Travis Langer, Joanna Hunter and Chase Issacs – and interns Morgan Evans, Chris Licata and Ryan Perez – for the job they perform with such professionalism and consistency. And I’m not just talking about the Super Bowl run. Their star players and key decision-makers are routinely available. They provide daily transcripts. They go the extra mile to try to handle unique requests. Can’t take this for granted in today’s environment. I crossed paths with the Rams at least six times last season, after several other engagements in prior years since their move to L.A. Always a pleasure to deal with. A long list of interview requests in one day? No sweat. Sending an intern to drop off credentials at the airport hotel? Done. A temporary office? Non-football adversity? Skill. Class. Responsiveness. Cheers to this group of rising stars.”
ABOUT THE PFWA: In its 56th season in 2019, the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is the official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public. The PFWA is made up of accredited writers who cover the NFL and the 32 teams daily. Bob Glauber, the national football columnist for Newsday, is the organization’s president for the 2018-20 seasons. The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones is the PFWA’s first vice-president, Bleacher Report national columnist Dan Pompei is the PFWA’s second vice-president and ESPN.com’s Mike Sando is the PFWA secretary-treasurer. At-large members include ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold, ProFootballtalk.com’s Charean Williams, Sports Illustrated’s Jenny Vrentas and USA Today’s Mike Jones. Follow the PFWA at ProFootballWriters.org and on Twitter at @PFWAwriters.
PETE ROZELLE AWARD WINNERS (To the club public relations department that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media) Year indicates when award was presented for previous season: 1990 – Denver Broncos; 1991 – Pittsburgh Steelers; 1992 – Seattle Seahawks; 1993 – Miami Dolphins; 1994 – Houston Oilers; 1995 – New York Giants; 1996 – Indianapolis Colts; 1997 – St. Louis Rams; 1998 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 1999 – Miami Dolphins; 2000 – Tennessee Titans; 2001 – New York Giants; 2002 – Philadelphia Eagles; 2003 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 2004 – Houston Texans; 2005 – Philadelphia Eagles; 2006 – Cincinnati Bengals; 2007 – Houston Texans; 2008 – Seattle Seahawks; 2009 – Arizona Cardinals; 2010 – Houston Texans; 2011 – Baltimore Ravens; 2012 – Houston Texans; 2013 – Baltimore Ravens; 2014 – Denver Broncos; 2015 – Pittsburgh Steelers; 2016 – Denver Broncos; 2017 – Baltimore Ravens & Houston Texans; 2018 – Minnesota Vikings; 2019 – Los Angeles Rams
