Houston Texans running back Rex Burkhead won the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week for Week 16 after his career game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The former Cincinnati Bengals 2013 sixth-round pick from Nebraska rushed for a career high 149 yards and a career tying two touchdowns on 22 attempts as the Texans upset the Chargers 41-29 Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium. Burkhead was the first 100-yard performer for the Texans in 2021, and also has control of the most rushing yards for Houston this season with 356.
“You could just feel a burst of air and then you would see him getting up to the second level,” right tackle Charlie Heck said. “He was running hard yesterday, and he always does. So, he did a great job.”
With Burkhead winning the player of the week award, FedEx will make a $2,000 donation in his name to a Historically Black College or University, which will be applied towards needs-based scholarships to deserving HBCU students.
FedEx will make an additional $2,000 donation in the name of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who won the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week for generating 525 yards and four touchdowns with a 143.2 passer rating in Cincinnati’s 41-21 win over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon.
