The Washington Commanders public relations staff, lauded for overall professionalism with the reporters who cover the franchise, has been selected as the 2025 Pete Rozelle Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
The Commanders PR staff, the 36th Rozelle Award winner, earned the award for the first time in franchise history.
The other 2025 finalists for the Rozelle Award were the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.
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 2024 season, the Commanders football communications staff was comprised of Sean DeBarbieri (vice president of football communications), Charlie Mule (senior manager of football communications; promoted to director in April 2025), Jerod Carrier (manager of football communications) and Samantha Fristachi (coordinator of football communications). The staff was assisted by Jack Rothenberg and Maison Holcomb (football communications seasonal interns). This group was supported by Dave Sholler (HBSE chief communications officer) and Allison Waddington (HBSE director of corporate communications; promoted to Commanders VP of corporate communications in January 2025).
A finalist for the Rozelle Award for the first time since 2022, the Commanders' PR team worked to facilitate access for beat writers to head coach Dan Quinn, assistant coaches and players along with general manager Adam Peters and front office personnel throughout the season.
"The greatest strength of Washington's football PR staff is its ability to build trust. Sean's group is honest, transparent and fair, and has a keen understanding of the jobs of media, players and team executives," said PFWA president Nicki Jhabvala, who covers the Commanders for the Washington Post. "It works with media instead of against them, often seeking reporters' input to try new things, such as off-record roundtables with the head coach, and using feedback to adjust its schedule when needed. Pitches may not always be fulfilled, but they're always fully considered.
"It's fair to assume no NFL club PR staff has dealt with more crises and franchise-altering news in recent years, but never has the group seemed rattled and never has it treated media with anything other than respect. It's about time Sean's staff got its due."
