Courage is simply defined as having strength in the face of pain or grief.
Some people turn their heads and run the opposite way when faced with adversity, others go to battle to overcome it.
The latter of the two was on full display on Monday night as the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation held their 37th Annual Gala to honor all 32 NFL Courage Award recipients.
The award, named after longtime Colts trainer Ed Block, in honor of his mission to aid at-risk children in and throughout the communities of Baltimore. The prestigious honor gained recognition nationally after the Colts departed to Indianapolis and as the league progressed, so did the Ed Block Courage Award.
Each March, the Foundation honors the 32 recipients from each team in the league, who in the eyes of their teammates exemplify a commitment to sportsmanship and courage.
For the Baltimore Ravens, cornerback Lardarius Webb earned the 2014 honor as the seven-year veteran exhibited determination to overcome adversity to return from career threatening injuries.
“It makes it so special,” said Webb when asked about how much earning the award means to him given that it’s voted on by his peers. “I feel like my teammates recognized all the hard work that I put in and understood the things that I went through with the ACL’s and they saw how I came back.”
“So it’s an honor for them to recognize hard work and I give all the things to them because those are the guys who helped me get up every morning and pushed me when they saw me on a slow day.”
There were several big name players that received the award this year around the NFL, and some not so big names, but their stories of how they conquered adversity were equally powerful.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen received the award for his courage in facing something far more important than what transpires on the football field — his fight to save the life of his son.
“We were handling a tough situation the best we could,” said Olsen whose son endured three open heart surgeries before his second birthday.
“I think anytime you get recognized by your peers and teammates it’s a tremendous honor. It’s something that’s not taken lightly. It’s been a tremendous honor to come out here and represent my team and it’s been a tremendous opportunity.”
Like Olsen, Cincinnati Bengals star defensive tackle Devon Still was is in a battle to save the life of his daughter Leah. Leah was diagnosed with Stage 4 pediatric cancer last offseason.
Houston Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry suffered his own scare early in 2014 when the third-year player was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Throughout his battle, Quessenberry was always around the Texans training facility attending meetings and stayed buried in his playbook.
“I wouldn’t be here without my teammates,” David said when asked how he managed to fight every day. “Going through my fight and being around the team. Football has been the best medicine for me.”
“For them to vote me here, I’m speechless and I want to represent them and come back and play with them.”
Prior to the evening gala, players visited the Chick Web Recreation Center in Baltimore, where they interacted with the kids in attendance. While catching passes from several of the players on hand and even playing a round of basketball with them, the kids were ecstatic.
The much needed smiles and laughter filled the afternoon air, not just for the kids but for the players as well.
For more information on the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation visit their website.
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