Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Tight end Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots is the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on Dec. 16-20, the NFL announced Friday.
Hernandez had four receptions for 31 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots' 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Hernandez was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com/rookies. The other finalists were running back LeGarrette Blount of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quarterback Jimmy Clausen of the Carolina Panthers, safety Kendrick Lewis of the Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Arthur Moats of the Buffalo Bills.
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/rookies throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XLV in North Texas.
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:
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Blount rushed 15 times for 110 yards and one touchdown in the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Clausen led the Panthers to a 19-12 win over the Arizona Cardinals, completing 13 of 19 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown.
Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots
Hernandez had four receptions for 31 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots' 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Lewis had two interceptions in the Chiefs' 27-13 win over the St. Louis Rams.
