Robert Griffin III was named the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year on Saturday night, capping off a debut season that saw the young quarterback take a formerly straggling Washington ‘Skins team and lead it into becoming one of the more dynamic offenses in the NFL.

Griffin, in accepting the award at an NFL ceremony in New Orleans, also made his first public appearance since undergoing knee surgery a month ago following season-ending tears to two ligaments. But Griffin said he is feeling better and that his rehabilitation is progressing ahead of schedule, even saying that he expects to be ready for the first game of the 2013 season, The Washington Post reports:

“My goal is Week 1,” he said. “That’s all I’m really worried about.”

Griffin, who underwent surgery on his right knee on Jan. 9, said he’s been off crutches for nearly two weeks and was walking Saturday with only the slightest hint of a limp. Sporting a striped burgundy and gold neck tie, Griffin had no problem taking the stage at Mahalia Jackson Theater and accepting his award from New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.

Griffin beat out two other rookie quarterbacks who led their once-moribund teams into the playoffs—the Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck and the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson—and became the first ‘Skins player to win the prize since running back Mike Thomas in 1975.

Griffin, according to the Post, is rehabbing at a clinic in Gulf Breeze, Fla., where the noted sports orthopedist James Andrews operated on him in January.