Chiefs Name Justin Houston Rookie Of The Year

As one of their last acts as a team in 2011, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Justin Houston as their Mack Lee Hill Award (rookie of the year) recipient.

Houston was the obvious choice among all the 2011 rookies. He started the season as a situational pass rusher and struggled mightily. As the season wore on, however, Houston forced his way back into the starting lineup, starting with a strong game in a loss to the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead.

“It’s just the way that he came on,” said LB Derrick Johnson, who the team also named their MVP yesterday. “For a guy mid-season, to grow up the way he did was great. I definitely had to put him down.”

Houston finished the season with 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four pass defenses.

Congratulations to Houston. Here’s hoping he takes the next step in 2012.