D. Orlando Ledbetter Photo Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution D. Orlando Ledbetter, the Atlanta Falcons beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has won the prestigious Bill Nunn Memorial Award.
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D. Orlando Ledbetter, who has covered the Atlanta Falcons for almost two decades, is being honored for his work.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer has been named this year’s recipient of the Bill Nunn Memorial Award. The award, presented by the Professional Football Writers of America, honors reporters for “long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage.”

Ledbetter will receive the award in August in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Other finalists this year included Mary Kay Cabot, Vic Carucci, Jeff Legwold and Barry Wilner.

The award honors the late Nunn, a longtime reporter for the Pittsburgh Courier who also worked as a scout for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2021, he became the first African American elected to the Hall of Fame as a Contributor.

Ledbetter has served as PFWA president, vice president and board member in recent years.

“I am honored and humbled to be named as the Nunn Award winner this year, and it is always wonderful to be cited by a group of your peers,” Ledbetter said. “As a product of an HBCU at Howard, it is a particular pleasure to me to receive an award named for Bill Nunn Jr.

“It is a joy to cover the NFL along with the people and stories that make the game what it is today. I look forward to receiving this award in Canton and share my joy with my family, friends, co-workers and peers.”

Ledbetter’s peers reached out via social media to share their congratulations:


Past winners of the Bill Nunn Memorial Award include Peter King, Len Pasquarelli, Chris Mortensen, John Clayton, Jarrett Bell and Jim Trotter.

[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

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Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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