KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs rookie cornerback Marcus Peters can add another honor to his young career.
Dec. 20, 2015; Baltimore; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) celebrates after returning an interception 90 yards for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
“Marcus Peters was the Defensive Rookie of the Month, congratulations to him,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters after Thursday’s practice.
The rookie cornerback said he found out about the league recognition when assistant secondary coach Al Harris told him.
“That’s big, to see my coaches, how proud they are of me,” Peters told reporters. “From when I first got in, we talked when I came in on my visit. Like I said, it was love. And it’s great to be coached by a Hall of Famer (defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas) and an All-Pro guy and a future Hall of Famer in my mind in Al Harris. So that’s big, already.”
Peters, the Chiefs’ first-round pick out of Washington in the 2015 NFL Draft, led all players the past month with four interceptions, including a pick-6, and 10 passes defensed in Weeks 13-17. He added 16 tackles and a forced fumble.
The NFL previously recognized Peters as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 15 following a two-interception performance, which included a 93-yard interception returned for a touchdown, against the Baltimore Ravens.
Peters, who was named to the Pro Bowl, has been a defensive standout the entire season for the Chiefs.
He finished the regular season fourth in tackles with 60 (53 solo) and his eight interceptions tied for the NFL lead with Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson.
Peters also led the NFL with a franchise-record 280 yards returned on interceptions, which marked the third-most for a rookie in NFL history, and his 26 passes defensed established a team record.
Peters becomes the second Chiefs player to receive recognition as the NFL Rookie of the Month, joining teammate Eric Berry, who did it in December 2010.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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