After rushing for a league-high 17 touchdowns, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Year Wednesday. McCoy, the NFC's Pro Bowl starter at running back, rushed for 1,309 yards, fourth in the NFL, and averaged 4.8 yards per rush. He also led the league with 84 rushes for a first down.
"I want to thank my teammates, fans, and friends. The fans they vote each week and each year for this award. For me to achieve this award is something special to me," McCoy said. "Over a million fans voted for the FedEx Ground Player of the Year and I just wanted to thank them. Also, I want to thank FedEx because they're donating $25,000 in my name to Junior Achievement of Delaware Valley. Once again, I appreciate this, and thank you."
His 17 rushing touchdowns and 20 overall touchdowns broke Steve Van Buren's franchise records, which had stood since 1945. McCoy was nominated four times for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award and won twice.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named the FedEx Air Player of the Year. In honor of the winners' outstanding play, FedEx is donating a total of $50,000 to Junior Achievement Programs in Greater New Orleans and the Delaware Valley -- $25,000 in each player's market – designated for local area offices of Junior Achievement.
Former winners of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year Award include:
• (2010) Green Bay Packers QB AARON RODGERS and Kansas City Chiefs RB JAMAAL CHARLES
• (2009) New Orleans Saints QB DREW BREES and Tennessee Titans RB CHRIS JOHNSON
• (2008) New Orleans Saints QB DREW BREES and Minnesota Vikings RB ADRIAN PETERSON
• (2007) Green Bay Packers QB BRETT FAVRE and Jacksonville Jaguars RB FRED TAYLOR
• (2006) New Orleans Saints QB DREW BREES and San Diego Chargers RB LADAINIAN TOMLINSON
• (2005) Bengals QB CARSON PALMER and Seattle Seahawks RB SHAUN ALEXANDER
• (2004) Indianapolis Colts QB PEYTON MANNING and New York Jets RB CURTIS MARTIN
• (2003) Indianapolis Colts QB PEYTON MANNING and Green Bay Packers RB AHMAN GREEN
