Vikings WR/KR Harvin is AP top offensive rookie
NEW YORK (AP)—Minnesota Vikings wide receiver/kick returner Percy Harvin(notes) used his versatility and intelligence to win The Associated Press 2009 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award on Wednesday.
Harvin easily earned the votes the same way he outran defenses and special teams this season. He received 41 votes from the panel of 50 U.S. sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Baltimore tackle Michael Oher(notes), subject of the hit movie “The Blind Side,” was second with six votes.
The 22nd overall draft pick out of the University of Florida, Harvin had 60 receptions for 790 yards and six touchdowns; rushed 15 times for 135 yards; and returned 42 kickoffs for 1,156 yards (27.5 average) and two touchdowns, one covering 101 yards.
He tied with Indianapolis’ Austin Collie(notes) for most catches by a rookie and set Minnesota’s single-season record for all-purpose yardage with 2,081.
“I call him Little Phenom,” said teammate Adrian Peterson, the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year. “He’s got the heart of a lion when he’s out there playing.”
He’s also got the confidence of his entire team, including a 40-year-old quarterback who demands excellence.
“I think Percy’s on his way to a league of his own,” Brett Favre(notes) said. “He’s quick like (New England’s) Wes Welker(notes). He’s got a long ways to go to be in the same category with Wes, but at the rate he’s going he’s a dominant force in a lot of ways.”
Precisely the reason Harvin dominated the voting and was added to the Pro Bowl this week.
He missed one game in December with migraine headaches, about the only thing that slowed him.
“I came in with ‘I’m ready for anything, I’m expecting anything,’ so nothing surprised me. I’m pretty good on that end,” Harvin said.
He helped Minnesota win the NFC North division and earn a first-round playoff bye.
Harvin is the sixth Vikings player to win the award, joining Peterson, Randy Moss(notes) (1998), Sammy White (1976), Chuck Foreman (1973) and Paul Flatley (1963).
Also receiving votes this season were Philadelphia receiver Jeremy Maclin(notes), Denver running back Knowshon Moreno(notes) and Pittsburgh receiver Mike Wallace(notes), each with one.
