:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66219254/1192731066.jpg.0.jpg)
After being snubbed for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award earlier this year, Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II is being recognized by another brand — Snickers. The Snickers Hungriest Player of the Year award was voted on by fans, giving Minshew II the nod over 11 other candidates.
“Throughout the season, SNICKERS awarded the chain to players who demonstrated their hunger for more with a huge game or play on the field,” said Josh Olken, Brand Director, SNICKERS. “As we watched Gardner Minshew embody this spirit throughout the season, we agree with our fans and can’t think of anyone more fitting to be named as the ‘Hungriest Player of the Year.’”
Minshew II was given a Snickers chain which is valued at over $75,000. The Jaguars quarterback says he will donate the chain to chain to Movember for a raffle, a charity in which supports men’s health and initiatives. Minshew II also chose Movember for his My Cause My Cleats design in early December of last year. The rookie quarterback won the weekly Snickers award after his week four performance against the Denver Broncos.
The LEGEND Gardner Minshew got that Cuban link from Snickers for playing hungry this week @GardnerMinshew5 @SNICKERS pic.twitter.com/S7eVLtiWSz
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 2, 2019
“I’m honored to be named SNICKERS’ ‘Hungriest Player of the Year’ and I have a lot of love for the fans who recognized my hunger for more,” said Minshew in a press release. “I’m excited to share my satisfying win with Movember, an organization that is leading the charge in several important men’s health initiatives, such as testicular cancer and suicide prevention. These issues have touched people I know, and I think it’s important for men to realize it’s OK to ask for help.”
The Jaguars rookie quarterback finished with the most wins as a rookie quarterback in 2019 with six total. After entering the game in relief of veteran quarterback Nick Foles (injury) just 11 plays into the game, Minshew went on to win 4 out of his next eight starts before being benched for Foles in week 11.
Minshew’s stay on the bench wouldn’t last long as he was ultimately inserted into the lineup after halftime of the team’s week 13 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and ultimately the rookie quarterback would start the remainder of the season winning two more games.
In total, Minshew II threw for 3,271 yards for 21 touchdowns and six interceptions in 14 games — 12 starts last season. Minshew II not only broke rookie franchise records for the Jaguars, he also tied for second in since 1991 for most completed passes of 30 yards or more with 20 (Andrew Luck, 30) for a rookie quarterback.
Minshew Mania has been alive and well following the season, seemingly picking up even more steam as the week progress due to the quarterback’s RV trip he conducted over the past couple of weeks. Minshew II was also heard on several radio programs yesterday on Radio Row in Miami, Florida for the Super Bowl.