NEW YORK (AP) - Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has won a revote and will keep The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award he won in January.
The second vote was taken after the league suspended Cushing for four games last week. He tested positive in September, violating the NFL's drug policy. Although Cushing said he took a non-steroid substance, the league still considers it a performance-enhancer.
The AP decided to have a revote, with a Wednesday noon deadline.
That revote gave Cushing 18 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd received 13 votes, and Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews III got 10. Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo earned three votes, and St. Louis linebacker James Laurinaitis got one.
Three voters were not available to cast ballots, and two voters abstained.
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