Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Running back SAMKON GADO of the Green Bay Packers is the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on December 11-12, the NFL announced Thursday.
Gado ran for 171 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries in the Packers' 16-13 overtime victory over the NFC North-rival Detroit Lions. He scored on a 64-yard run in the second quarter. Gado recorded his third 100-yard rushing performance in the last five games and set a Packers' record for rushing yards by a rookie.
More than 47,400 fans voted this week on NFL.com. Gado was selected from among five finalists. The other finalists were wide receiver MARK CLAYTON of the Baltimore Ravens, cornerback PACMAN JONES of the Tennessee Titans, running back RYAN MOATS of the Philadelphia Eagles and running back CARNELL "CADILLAC" WILLIAMS of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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 XL in Detroit.
This is Pepsi's fourth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the first year that Diet Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
