HOUSTON – With just a couple of days away from Super Bowl LI and less than 250 miles away from Dallas, fans voted Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott as 2016 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year during festivities in Houston.
Each week, five nominees were chosen for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week, and fans voted for the winner on NFL.com. Those results were used to help determine the finalists.
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Thank you fans for voting me your 2016 @pepsi rookie of the year pic.twitter.com/nziowM4gsP
— Dak Prescott (@dak) February 3, 2017
Prescott was one of the five finalists. He beat out Cowboys teammate running back Ezekiel Elliot, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones and Carson Wentz, the second overall selection in last year’s draft.
Prescott led NFL rookie quarterbacks in passing touchdowns (23) and rating (104.9), and was second in passing yards (3,667).
Prescott and Elliot were arguably two of the biggest reasons for the success the Cowboys had this season as they finished with a 13-3 record.
Congratulations @dak! This year's @pepsi Rookie of the Year as voted on by the fans👏 pic.twitter.com/nglZ3Kbp1V
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) February 3, 2017
The NFL will release its choices for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year ahead of Super Bowl Sunday with Elliott, who led the league in rushing, as the favorite to win the prestigious award.
This is the 14th year that Pepsi has presented the NFL Rookie of the Year.
Prescott is the first Cowboys player and the eighth quarterback to win the fan contest award.
For more, follow digital journalist Adrian Garcia on Twitter @KSATadrian