2013 MVP Named in Puppy Bowl IX

A rookie took this year's most prestigious puppy prize, while brothers battled one another to prove their pedigree.

From: http://www.ign.com

Marta, a 10-week old Schnauzer/Beagle mix playing in her rookie year in the prestigiousPuppy Bowl, has been officially named the Puppy Bowl IX MVP. Hailing from Omaha, this scrappy, shaggy sweetie came out of the gate as part of the 2013 Starting Line-Up at this year's Puppy Bowl. She clawed and pawed her way to glory with dogged defensive plays against mutts easily twice her size in double-canine-coverage, and also put puppy points up on the board with a triumphant charge in the first half. This proud pooch become the ninth recipient of the coveted Most Valuable Puppy award and demonstrated why this annual event is the must-see sporting event of the year for pet lovers. 

This was a high-scoring puppy bowl, with nine terrific touchdowns in total. MVP Martatook it to the doghouse in a run that also put her in contention for this year's Subaru Drive of the Day (alongside Aurora the Husky/Retriever for an endzone run in the third; the winner instead was Basset Hound Sally, who drove the entire length of the field with an assist from teammate and "platonic" pooch pal Harry.) Slobbering siblings Eli and Tuck tore it up together with a joint TD, making news unexpectedly as teammates rather than rivals despite these two brothers being the talk of the town going into this year's big Bowl game. High-stepping hounds Sally, Agatha, Unity, Elias, Aurora, Chestnut, and latecomer Butterscotch also smelled victory (and plenty more) with puppy touchdowns for each one of these frisky dingoes.

Each and every one of these canine competitors left it all on the field. Officials had to step in early and often for unnecessary 'ruff'ness as well as excessive cuteness (in a highly-debated 10-yard penalty that was extended to 15-yards because, well -- doggonit -- twins Daisy and Peyton were just that cute!), and unfortunately a flag was even thrown for a poopie penalty against the stinker Shepherd Eli. Puppy Bowl IX was one for the Hound Hall of Fame. Stay tuned to IGN for more information on Marta as it becomes apparent.