Temperatures will continue to fall over the next few days

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The Little Phenom is the NFL's top offensive
rookie.


      Percy Harvin used his versatility and intelligence to win The
Associated Press 2009 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.


      The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver/kick returner ran away with
the balloting the same way he outran defenses and special teams
this season. Harvin received 41 votes Wednesday from the nationwide
panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
Baltimore tackle Michael Oher was second with six votes.


      The 22nd overall draft pick out 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 per) and
two touchdowns, one covering 101 yards.


      He tied with the Colts' Austin Collie for most catches by a
rookie and set Minnesota's single-season franchise 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 said. "He's quick like Wes Welker. 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. He had six catches for 101 yards
and a TD against Chicago, and scored on kick runbacks against
Pittsburgh (88 yards) and San Francisco (101).


      "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.


      There were some questions about how well Harvin, who left
Florida after his junior season, would adjust to the NFL. It didn't
take long for him to answer, catching his first pro TD pass in the
opener at Cleveland, a 6-yarder from Favre that was followed by a
celebratory tackle by the quarterback.


      "I thought we were going to bump chests or something," Harvin
said at the time. "He wasn't slowing down. I took it and we fell
to the ground. It was a great feeling."


      As was much of the season for the speedster, who helped
Minnesota win the NFC North at 12-4 and earn a first-round playoff
bye.


      Teammates and coaches speak not only of his natural talent, but
his football know-how.
      

"He's a smart player," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell
said. "Now he hasn't had all the reps in his background of just
being a wide receiver as another guy may have had coming out of
college, but he's a fast learner. He picks things up and he
understands football."


      That's a source of pride for the 21-year-old Harvin.


      "Just how quickly I was able to adjust and learn the system,"
he said of meeting early NFL challenges. "Reading the coverages
and things like that. I think I've been doing it fairly well at a
quick time. So I'm impressed with that."


      Harvin is the sixth Vikings player to win the award, joining
Peterson, Randy Moss (1998), Sammy White (1976), Chuck Foreman
(1973) and Paul Flatley (1963).
      

Also receiving votes this season were Philadelphia receiver
Jeremy Maclin, Denver running back Knowshon Moreno and Pittsburgh
receiver Mike Wallace, each with one.

Gallery

Percy Harvin used his versatility and intelligence to win The
Associated Press 2009 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Vikings' WR Percy Harvin named NFL's top offensive rookie

Go Deeper.

Like this?