Bengals RB Giovani Bernard Wins 2013 NFL Pepsi NEXT Week 3 Rookie of the Week

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Running back Giovani Bernard of the Cincinnati Bengals is the Week 3 2013 Pepsi NEXT NFL Rookie of the Week for games played September 19-23, the NFL announced today. Bernard rushed for 50 yards and scored a touchdown and also caught four passes for 49 yards in the Bengals’ 34-30 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Bernard was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com. The other finalists for Week 3 were wide receiver Justin Hunter of the Tennessee Titans, quarterback Geno Smith of the New York Jets, defensive end Ziggy Ansah of the Detroit Lions and linebacker Barkevious Mingo of the Cleveland Browns.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NEXT NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/rookies throughout the month of January. The Pepsi NEXT NFL Rookie of the Year will be announced at the third annual NFL Honors awards show in New York City on on Saturday, February 2, the night before Super Bowl XLVIII.

In conjunction with the 2013 Pepsi NEXT NFL Rookie of the Week promotion, Panini America produces virtual trading cards of each week’s five nominees and a virtual card for each week’s winner. At the end of the regular season, Panini America will produce an actual trading card set of all weekly winners. Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional details.