Vikings' Peterson named 2007 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is the 2007 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, Diet Pepsi and the National Football League announced today.

During the 2007 season, Peterson shattered all Vikings rookie rushing records and set an NFL record for rushing yards in a game with 296 against San Diego on Nov. 4. Peterson led the NFC and was second in the NFL in rushing with 1,341 yards, a total that ranks as the second-most yards in a season in Vikings history. Peterson helped the Vikings set a new team record for rushing yards in a season with 2,634, and, along with RB Chester Taylor (844 yards), set a new team record for rushing yards by a tandem with 2,185. A threat as a receiver and a kick returner, Peterson amassed 2,021 combined net yards to rank second in Vikings history behind Herschel Walker's 2,051 in 1990. In Week 9 at San Diego, Peterson set the single game rushing record (296 yards) and scored three touchdowns, repeating his three touchdown effort at Chicago during Week 6 when he ran for 224 yards. Peterson, who attended University of Oklahoma, was nominated for seven Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning three times.

Nearly 440,000 fan votes were submitted for the 2007 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service from January 3 through January 28, shattering last year's total of 363,500.

Peterson was one of five finalists for the honor. The other finalists were wide receiver Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs, running back Marshawn Lynch of the Buffalo Bills, offensive tackle Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns and linebacker Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers.

The five finalists were selected for their outstanding performances throughout the 2007 NFL season. Each week, five nominees were chosen for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL fans voted for the winner on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless. Those results were used to help determine the finalists.

This is Pepsi's sixth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the third year that Diet Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Year award.