Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh is the 2010 Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Year, Pepsi and the National Football League announced Thursday.
Suh led the Lions, NFL rookies and all defensive tackles with 10 sacks. He also recorded 66 tackles, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, one interception and one fumble returned for a touchdown. Suh became the second rookie defensive tackle in NFL history to record 10 sacks. He also was the only rookie in the NFL to record a sack, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown this season. He was selected to the 2011 NFC Pro Bowl team as a starter. Suh, who attended the University of Nebraska, was nominated for four Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning once.
It's the first time a defensive player has won the award and Suh was very appreciative.
"It's truly an honor. I can't thank Pepsi and the NFL enough. It's a great group of guys that I get to be here with. It's truly an honor. I'm glad I can take this home to Detroit. I want to thank my family, God, and especially me teammates and my coaches," Suh said. "This is definitely not possible without my teammates that I play with -- especially (DT) Corey Williams, (DE) Kyle Vanden Bosch and (DE) Cliff Avril. They took me under their wing, especially Kyle Vanden Bosch, and showed me how to be a pro. I can't thank them enough for that."
Suh was one of five finalists for the honor. The other finalists were St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford, Cleveland Browns CB Joe Haden, New England Patriots CB Devin McCourty and Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Williams.
The five finalists were selected for their outstanding performances throughout the 2010 NFL season. Each week, five nominees were chosen for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL fans voted for the winner on NFL.com. Those results were used to help determine the finalists.
This is Pepsi's ninth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the ninth year that Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
A closer look at the finalists:
Bradford set NFL rookie records for completions (354) and attempts (590), and his 3,512 passing yards are the second most by a rookie in league history, trailing only Peyton Manning's 3,739 in 1998. Bradford's 18 touchdowns are tied for fifth most among rookies in NFL history. During a midseason stretch, Bradford set a rookie record with 174 consecutive attempts without an interception. The former Heisman Trophy winner led the Rams to seven wins. Bradford, who attended the University of Oklahoma, was nominated for five Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning twice.
Haden finished the year with 64 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and six interceptions, which tied for fifth in the NFL and was second among rookies. He led the Browns with 18 pass break-ups and added 57 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and eight special teams stops. His six picks were the most by a Brown since 2007 and the most by a Browns rookie since 2001. In Weeks 10-13, he became the first Brown to record an interception in four straight games since Ernie Kellermann in 1968. Haden, who attended the University of Florida, was nominated for three Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards.
McCourty started all 16 games and finished the season with 82 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, 17 passes defensed and seven interceptions. His interception total tied for second in the NFL and led all rookies. Four of the picks came during three consecutive games in Weeks 11-13. The seven interceptions by a Patriots rookie are second to the eight by Mike Haynes in 1976. McCourty, who attended Rutgers University, was nominated for two Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards.
Suh led the Lions, NFL rookies and all defensive tackles with 10.0 sacks and recorded 66 tackles (49 solo), three passes defensed, one forced fumble, one interception and one fumble returned for a touchdown. Suh became the second rookie defensive tackle in NFL history to record 10.0 sacks. He also was the only rookie in the NFL to record a sack, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown this season. He was selected to the 2011 NFC Pro Bowl team as a starter. Suh, who attended the University of Nebraska, was nominated for four Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning once.
Williams finished the year with 65 receptions for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns, helping the Buccaneers go 10-6. Among rookie receivers, Williams finished first in all major categories. He also becomes the first rookie to have 10-plus touchdown receptions since Randy Moss in 1998. Williams was the only rookie receiver to have a reception in each of his teams games this season and he finished tied for the 11th-most receiving yards in the NFC. Williams, who attended Syracuse, was nominated for five Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards.
This is Pepsi's ninth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the ninth year that Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.