Odell Beckham Wins NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Odell Beckham – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. was named the Associated Press’s “Offensive Rookie of the Year” for his performance during the 2014 NFL season. Beckham is the first New York Giant to win the award in team history. Linebacker Lawrence Taylor won the “Defensive Rookie of the Year” award after the 1981 season.

The other finalists for the award were Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans and Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin. Beckham received 42 of the available 50 votes with Martin receiving seven and Evans one vote.

“To me (the award) really means everything,” said Beckham. “It’s one less award that I fell short of. I said I wanted to win a Heisman. I didn’t win a Heisman. I said I wanted to win a national championship. Never won that. Biletnikoff, never won that. Top 10 pick, never won that. Rookie of the Year is something I get to take home.

“It really means a lot because I put in everything I had into it. I wanted this more than anything, not to prove anybody else wrong but to prove I know what I’m capable of. This is one I’m very proud of. I’ll be able to hold that above my head for a little bit of time.”

Although Beckham had earlier one Rookie of the Year honors the Professional Football Writers Association and The Sporting News, the Associated Press award is considered the most prestigious and more official award. Beckham was named the “NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month” in both November and December.

Despite missing most of training camp, all of the preseason, and the first four games of the regular season, Beckham finished the year with 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns – all franchise rookie records.

Other statistical accolades of note:

• Beckham is the first wide receiver in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards after missing the season’s first three games (he missed four).

• Beckham set NFL records for most catches and yards in the first 12 games to start a career.

• Beckham’s 91 catches were the second-highest total in franchise history, topped only by WR Steve Smith’s 107 receptions in 2009.

• Beckham’s 91 receptions are tied with Denver Broncos WR Eddie Royal (2008) for the second-highest total in NFL history for a rookie; Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin caught 101 passes in 2003.

• Beckham’s 1,305 yards were the third-highest total in Giants history, surpassed only by WR Victor Cruz’s 1,536 yards in 2011 and WR Amani Toomer’s 1,343 yards in 2002.

• Beckham joined Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Irvin as the only players in NFL history with at least 90 receiving yards in nine consecutive games. Irvin accomplished the feat in 1995.

• Beckham is just the fourth player in franchise history with at least 12 touchdown receptions in a season. WR Homer Jones set the record with 13 in 1967. WR Plaxico Burress (2007) and WR Del Shofner (1962) also had 12.

• Beckham’s 12 touchdown catches are a Giants rookie record and he tied the franchise total rookie touchdown mark set in 1943 by Bill Paschal (10 rushing, two receiving).

• Beckham averaged 108.8 yards a game, surpassing Victor Cruz’s previous Giants record of 96.0, set in 2011. Beckham’s 108.8-yard average is also an NFL rookie record, topping the old mark of 105.2 set by Groman in 1960.

For videos on Odell Beckham at last night’s award ceremony, see Giants.com:

• Odell Beckham wins AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (Video)
• ‘NFL Honors’ Xfinity Couch: New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (Video)