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 October 13-14, the NFL announced Thursday.
Anderson recorded a game-high 12 tackles and an interception in the Packers' 28-10 win over New England. Anderson's interception came late in the third quarter and with the Packers leading 21-3. Anderson intercepted the pass on the Green Bay 13-yard line and returned it 22 yards to the Green Bay 35. The Packers scored on the ensuing drive to extend their lead to 28-3.
More than 33,000 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 Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Antonio Bryant, San Diego Chargers wide receiver Reche Caldwell, Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle-El.
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)
