The beginning?

If the Baltimore Ravens go on a January run, they’ll find its roots in Monday night.

Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward is among eight finalists for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The award, first created in 2014, is given each year to an NFL player best demonstrating on-field sportsmanship with fair play, respecting the game and opponents and integrity in competition. There are four finalists from each conference.

The other AFC finalists are Baltimore defensive end

Calais Campbell, a threetime finalist; New England wide receiver Matthew Slater, a finalist for the second consecutive year and third overall; and Indianapolis defensive end Justin Houston.

The NFC finalists are Carolina quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Tampa Bay linebacker Lavonte David, Philadelphia center Jason Kelce and San Francisco fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Finalists were picked by a panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community featuring Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenberg and Leonard Wheeler.

Lions

Amidst concerns leadership didn’t have anyone with a football background assisting the team’s search for a new coach and general manager, Detroit announced that former Lions great Chris Spielman is being brought on as a full-time special assistant to owner Sheila Ford Hamp and team president Rod Wood.

Elsewhere

NFL teams won’t be allowed to create local bubbles during the postseason by mandating that players stay in a hotel, except for the night before a game. “Clubs may not require players and staff to stay at a hotel in their local area,” said a league memo. The NFL also reminded teams that gathering socially at team hotels remains prohibited.