U.S. Army All-American Bowl Alumni Percy Harvin and Brian Cushing Named Top Rookies, Pro Bowlers 2010-01-26
The parallel career arcs continue for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin and Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing. The two left high school as U.S. Army All-Americans and entered the NFL as first-round picks in April. January has been no different.
The pair were awarded the AP's Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards and will celebrate and will both be at the Pro Bowl this Sunday in Miami. Harvin, whose season ended last weekend in the NFC Championship Game, becomes the third former U.S. Army All-American to win the award in the past four years, succeeding Adrian Peterson and Vince Young. Named to the NFC team as a kick returner, Harvin returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and averaged 27.5 yards per return, fourth in the NFL.
Harvin's 60 receptions and 790 yards were tied for the league lead among rookies and his 2,081 all-purpose yards set a Vikings single-season franchise record. The 22nd pick in last year's draft, Harvin accounted for eight touchdowns. Receiving 41 of 50 votes, Harvin edged runner-up Michael Oher, a 2005 U.S. Army All-American, by a substantial margin to claim the award.
Cushing, who joined Oher in the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, led all rookies and finished sixth in the NFL with 133 total tackles. Productive across the board, Cushing added four sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a safety. SportsIllustrated.com writer Peter King also named him as his rookie defensive player of the year for this scintillating performance.
A first-round pick, Cushing had an outstanding career at USC, continuing a long and storied tradition of linebackers who donned the Trojans uniform. Known for his work ethic in the weight room and on the practice field, Cushing’s veteran-like poise keyed the Texans defense much of the year.
For both Harvin and Cushing, the Bowl ties extend beyond their game appearances. Harvin, as a high school junior in 2005, was named the U.S. Army National Combine Offensive MVP. Cushing, in December, was a guest speaker at a Bowl-related dinner featuring four 2010 U.S. Army All-Americans from the Houston area.
