FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      CONTACT:
NFL-57                     9/18/03                                                      BRENDAN MOYNIHAN, NFL, 212-450-2246
                                                                                                Moynihanb@nfl.com

DAVE DECECCO, PEPSI-COLA, 914-253-2655 
            David.DeCecco@Pepsi.com

NFL.COM VOTERS SELECT PACKERS LB NICK BARNETT

AS PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice.  Linebacker NICK BARNETT of the Green Bay Packers is the PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK for games played on September 14-15, the NFL announced today.

Barnett recorded a team-high 14 tackles, an interception and had one pass defensed in the Packers’ 31-6 win over Detroit.  Barnett’s interception, the first of his career, set up Green Bay’s third touchdown and extended the Packers’ lead to 24-6.

More than 40,000 fans voted this week on NFL.com.  Barnett was selected from among five finalists.  The other finalists were Seattle Seahawks safety KEN HAMLIN, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback BYRON LEFTWICH, Indianapolis Colts defensive end ROBERT MATHIS and St. Louis Rams linebacker PINA TINOISAMOA.

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 XXXVIII in Houston.

This is Pepsi’s second year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL.
 

2003 PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

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