Its only taken four weeks to happen, but finally after four straight nominations and a rookie of the month away Cam Newton finally won the NFL's rookie of the week award for his 374 passing yard, 3 total TD game last week against the Chicago Bears.

Carolina Panthers

You helped make it happen, Panthers Fans! Cam Newton has been named PEPSI/NFL Rookie of the Week! Congrats to Cam & best of luck on Sunday!

Newton's next challenge will be to win a second straight rookie of the month award, an accolade Sam Bradford managed to win last year. Bradford was the first rookie QB to win the award twice, and if Newton keeps up his pace he could eclipse that mark in 2011.

Perhaps Newton being awarded rookie of the week holds some greater symbolism. Thus far we've felt that Newton is garnering more than his fair share of 'hate' from other teams based on comments and prior results from rookie of the week contests, maybe this means the collective consciousness of NFL fans is starting to recognize Newton for the QB he is, rather than the polarizing player he was at Auburn.