The NFL announced today that quarterback Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins and running back C.J. Spiller of the Buffalo Bills are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on Sept. 5 to 10.
Griffin III and Spiller were selected from among six finalists in Air and Ground categories. The other FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week finalists were quarterbacks Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys and Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons, and running backs Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers and Stevan Ridley of the New England Patriots.
Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards are also a win for local communities. Along with the player awards, FedEx is making a $2,000 donation in each of the winning players' names to the local area offices of Junior Achievement in Washington D.C. and Buffalo. The funding is used to help U.S. small business development, by educating the next generation of entrepreneurs on how to start and grow their own businesses.
During the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVII, FedEx plans to announce the 2012 FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year in New Orleans, as well as make a $25,000 donation in each winning player's name to Junior Achievement offices in the their city.
FEDEX AIR -- QUARTERBACK WINNER
Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
Griffin completed 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns, finishing his regular season debut with a 139.9 passer rating in the Redskins' win over the New Orleans Saints 40-32.
FEDEX GROUND -- RUNNING BACK WINNER
C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills
Spiller had 14 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown for the Bills' in a 48-28 loss to the New York Jets.
FEDEX AIR -- QUARTERBACK NOMINEES
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Romo completed 22 of 29 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys' 24-17 Kickoff victory over the New York Giants.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan completed 23 of 31 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons' 40-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
FEDEX GROUND -- RUNNING BACK NOMINEES
Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Gore rushed for 112 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown in the 49ers 30 -22 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots
Ridley had 21 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' 34-13 win over the Tennessee Titans.