Les Snead's professionalism off the field has earned him recognition from the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
The PFWA on Friday announced the Rams general manager earned its Jack Horrigan Award, which is awarded to a league, club or person for his or her qualities and professional style in helping the pro football writers do their job.
"Les believes that football is an endless source of curiosity. He is also in a position of power to where, should he want to seek and find the answers to a million questions about the evolution and dynamics of the sport, he could very well keep that gate shut for himself and his staff, and keep those answers for himself and everyone else out. Instead, when Les comes across journalists who are ALSO curious, who want to learn, and who are on the outside of buildings looking in — he opens that gate," PFWA Los Angeles Rams chapter vice president Jourdan Rodrigue, who covers the Rams for The Athletic, said in the PFWA's release. "When I arrived in Los Angeles — a young, female beat reporter hungry to learn — Les' open-door policy about all things football changed my life. A two-dimensional world became three and four-dimensional. By explaining things and answering endless questions and saying 'yes' to endless ideas, Les empowered curiosity, and he helped preserve in history some of the key stories that are shaping this league.
"When people in power open the door of access to those who are seeking knowledge, particularly underrepresented voices who have something to contribute to the fabric, the sport we love progresses. When ideas are shared, they challenge everybody to push forward. Les embodies this and is so deserving of this award."
The 52nd Horrigan Award winner, Snead is the second member of the Rams franchise to receive the award, joining head coach John Robinson (1992). According to the PFWA, he is the first general manager to win the award since the Bills' Brandon Beane in 2021, and the third general manager in the last five years to be recognized with the award by its membership.
In that same release, the PFWA said Snead "has maintained an open-door policy with the media, who have relied on him to discuss and analyze his decisions."
The 2023 season marked Snead's 12th as general manager of the Rams. While Los Angeles entered last season with second-youngest active roster in the NFL, the collection of talent assembled by its scouting department and guided by its coaching staff finished 10-7 and earned the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture.
In 2021, Snead and Los Angeles' scouting department – in partnership with head coach Sean McVay and his staff – helped build a team that won Super Bowl LVI that season.
