Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Safety Marques Anderson of the Green Bay Packers is the Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week for games played November 10-11, the NFL announced Thursday. Anderson has won the award three times this season, also winning in weeks six and seven.
Anderson recorded four tackles, one pass defensed and returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown in the Packers' 40-14 win over Detroit. Anderson's interception-return touchdown in the second quarter gave Green Bay a 23-7 lead and was his second interception-return touchdown this season.
More than 43,000 fans voted this week on NFL.com. The Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week is the first weekly NFL honor to be selected solely by NFL fans. Anderson was selected from among five finalists. The other finalists were Baltimore Ravens punt returner Lamont Brightful, Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and running back James Mungro and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Donte Stallworth.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego.
This is Pepsi's first year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL.
2002 PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Wk 1 - TE Randy McMichael, Miami (University of Georgia)
Wk 2 - WR Josh Reed, Buffalo (Louisiana State University)
Wk 3 - TE Randy McMichael, Miami (University of Georgia)
Wk 4 - CB Phillip Buchanon, Oakland (University of Miami)
Wk 5 - CB Phillip Buchanon, Oakland (University of Miami)
Wk 6 - S Marques Anderson, Green Bay (UCLA)
Wk 7 - S Marques Anderson, Green Bay (UCLA)
Wk 8 - WR Andre' Davis, Cleveland (Virginia Tech)
Wk 9 - TE Daniel Graham, New England (Colorado)
Wk 10 - S Marques Anderson, Green Bay (UCLA)
