BROWNS CB BRANDON MCDONALD,
PACKERS S AARON ROUSE, CHIEFS RB KOLBY SMITH, SEAHAWKS CB-KR JOSH WILSON &
49ERS LB PATRICK WILLIS CANDIDATES FOR DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF WEEK HONORS
Fans To Vote For Winner
On NFL.com and Via Sprint Wireless Service
Cornerback BRANDON MCDONALD
of the Cleveland Browns, safety AARON ROUSE of the Green Bay Packers, running
back KOLBY SMITH of the Kansas City Chiefs, cornerback – kick returner
JOSH WILSON of the Seattle Seahawks and linebacker PATRICK WILLIS of the San Francisco 49ers are the finalists for DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK honors
for games played on November 22 - 26, the NFL announced today.
Fans can vote for one of
these five players on NFL.com beginning Tuesday at 8am EST and ending on Friday
at noon to determine the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK. The DIET PEPSI NFL
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK will be announced Friday evening on NFL.com.
In addition, for the third
year, NFL fans may cast their votes for the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
using phones with Sprint wireless service - an opportunity available only to
Sprint customers. This fast, convenient voting method involves texting the word
PEPSI to short code 7777. Sprint customers will then receive an interactive
text message that links fans to the ballot with the five finalists each week.
Data and text messaging rates may apply.
After the regular season,
five players will be nominated for Diet 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 XLII in Arizona.
A closer look at the finalists:
Cleveland’s BRANDON
MCDONALD posted one tackle and one interception in the Browns’ 27 –
17 win over the Houston Texans. McDonald held WR Andre Johnson, who has picked
up at least 120 yards receiving in each of the three games he has played in
this season, to 37 yards on three receptions.
Green Bay’s AARON
ROUSE made the game-turning interception and six tackles in the Packers’
37 – 26 win over the Detroit Lions.
Kansas City’s KOLBY
SMITH carried the ball 31 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Chiefs’
20 – 17 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Seattle’s JOSH WILSON
made an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that helped spark the Seahawks
on their way to a 24 – 19 win over the St. Louis Rams.
San Francisco’s PATRICK
WILLIS made 18 tackles and ½ sack in the 49ers’ 37 – 31 win
over the Arizona Cardinals. Willis ran down Sean Morey on a 62-yard reception
in overtime, preventing Morey from potentially scoring and winning the game
for the Cardinals.
This is Pepsi’s sixth
year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the third year that Diet
Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.