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Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Former University of Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco, who recently finished an outstanding first season with the National Football League’s Baltimore Ravens, didn’t get much attention from the media when the official NFL Rookie of the Year voting took place earlier this month.

But the unflappable rookie with the cool head and rifle arm was No. 1 in the hearts of millions of fans from around the country who selected Flacco as the winner of the 2008 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award. The final results of the month-long contest were announced Thursday as part of Super Bowl XLIII festivities.

“This year was a lot of fun,” said Flacco on receiving the award. “This was a great year even though we came up short in the AFC championship game. This award is a great way to end the season and give some recognition to the Baltimore Ravens.”

More than 1,002,500 fan votes were submitted for the 2008 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service from January 2 through January 27, shattering last year’s total of 440,000.

Flacco was one of five finalists for the honor and was joined by Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, and Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton. Ryan was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press in December when he earned 44 of the 50 votes. Johnson earned three votes and Forte one in that voting but Flacco received none.

As the Ravens’ first round draft choice in 2008, Flacco propelled Baltimore’s air attack passing for 2,971 yards, completing 257 of 428 attempts and scoring 16 total touchdowns (14 passing, two rushing).

In the season’s final 11 games, Flacco guided the Ravens’ to a 9-2 record and a playoff berth, registering a 90.2 QB rating, throwing for 2,127 yards and 13 TDs. Flacco threw at least one touchdown in eight straight games between Oct. 19-Dec. 7, tying Joe Namath (1965) and Babe Parilli (1952) for the third-longest streak ever among rookie signal callers.

Flacco tossed at least one touchdown pass in each of the Ravens’ last six road games, totaling nine touchdowns and a 101.8 passer rating. Flacco was nominated for 10 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week awards, winning twice.

A two-year standout for the Blue Hens in 2006-07, Flacco earned honorable mention All-American, Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year, and ECAC Eastern Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2007. He led Delaware to an 11-4 record and a berth in the NCAA Division I Football Championships Subdivision championship game in 2007 when he threw for a school record 4,263 yards and 23 touchdowns.

The five finalists were selected for their outstanding performances throughout the 2008 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 seventh year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the fourth year that Diet Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Year award.