Minnesota Vikings

Vikings' Terence Newman wins first POTW award since rookie year

Published Nov. 18, 2015 11:41 a.m. ET

foxsports

Terence Newman was long overdue for a Player of the Week recognition.

On Wednesday, the 37-year-old Minnesota Vikings cornerback was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his two-interception performance against the Oakland Raiders.

NFC Defensive Player of Week 10: Vikings CB Terence Newman. 2nd career Player of Week Award pic.twitter.com/zZzhjrK3eS
— Randall Liu (@RLiuNFL) November 18, 2015

Before that, according to NFC communications director Randall Liu, Newman hadn't earned this honor since his rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. That was 12 years ago; a lot has changed since then.

Newman has switched teams twice and developed into a reliable veteran since receiving his first POTW award. He has broken up scores of passes, intercepted dozens and returned a handful for scores, too. A lot has changed, yet there remains one constant: Mike Zimmer.

The Vikings head coach was also Newman's defensive coordinator in Cincinnati and Dallas. He's still counting on the aging defensive back to hold Minnesota's defense together. Newman's outing in Week 10 showed that he's rising to the challenge in his 13th NFL season.