Despite losing a crushing game to the Seattle Seahawks to lose its chance at the Super Bowl, Aaron Rodgers earned his second NFL Most Valuable Player award for the 2014 season. ESPN reported that he won the award despite not having the huge numbers he did in his first MVP season. Rodgers this season almost never threw the ball to the opposing team and that certainly counted for something.
The site also noted that Rodgers, 31, led the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio (38 TDs, 5 INTs) during the regular season. He finished second in passer rating (112.2) and yards per attempt (8.43), and third in touchdown passes. For purposes of the voting, he was the only NFL quarterback to finish in the top three in all four of those categories. Rogers responded to the award.
“I feel so fortunate to live out my dreams, year after year.”
ESPN also reported that his TD-to-INT ratio was the fifth-best single-season mark in NFL history and was second among quarterbacks with at least 30 touchdown passes, trailing only Tom Brady’s 36-touchdown, four-interception 2010 season. Near the end of the season, Rodgers was playing hurt.
“So much has to come together for this to happen. It was a tough year injury-wise. I had the unathletic hamstring and calf pulls, and just dealing with those,” Rodgers said. “My training staff and my acupuncturist and my massage therapist deserve a lot of credit for getting me back on the field. It was a tough grind to get through it, but that’s what we do as players.”
With this second MVP award, Rodgers ties Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for second among active players. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has won the award five times, while retired players Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas and Brett Favre won the award three times as reported by USA Today.
Rodgers received 31 of the 50 votes from a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league. Defensive player of the year J.J. Watt got 13 votes, which is the most for a defensive player since the number of voters for the MVP award was reduced to 50 in 1999.
“J.J. had an incredible year,” Rodgers said. “He scored three offensive touchdowns, two defensive touchdowns, had 20 sacks, and then Tony had an incredible year as well. It was a great year for the NFL, and I’m proud to receive the award.”
USA Today said that Watt dominated in 2014, collecting 78 tackles, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception. He also scored five total touchdowns, three of which came on the offensive side of the ball.
What do you think of Rodgers winning the MVP award? Did you think another player was more deserving? Who?
[Photo Credit: Source]
Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers Beats Out JJ Watts For 2014 NFL MVP
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