Baltimore, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed is a member of this year's class of Ed Block Courage Award recipients who have been nominated by their teammates for showing courage and perseverance. Reed was a dominant force on the Ravens defense throughout the entire 2008 season and put together a remarkable season by any standard. What's even more incredible is that he did it while suffering from a nerve impingement in his neck. Overcoming this adversity earned Reed the admiration of his teammates, and their vote for the Ed Block Courage Award.
The Ed Block Courage Award is named in honor of Ed Block, the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts who was a pioneer in his profession and a respected humanitarian.
Reed is just one of many incredible stories of courage in this year's class. Minnesota Vikings DE Kenechi Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia after the 2007 season. Udeze received a bone marrow transplant from his brother, Thomas Barnes, and his leukemia is now in remission. He has vowed to return to the NFL and could play as early as 2009. Chicago Bears CB Charles Tillman played through 2008 while his daughter Tiana Rene battled cardiomyopathy and received a heart transplant, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant fought through the tragedy of losing his 3-month old son Tryson.
This year's class also features headline players who overcame adversity to lead their teams on the field. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme returned from Tommy John Surgery to lead the Panthers back to the playoffs in 2008. Miami Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown returned from a torn ACL to help lead the Dolphins to the playoffs, and S Ryan Clark returned to the Steelers line-up after suffering a near fatal spleen injury. Clark is an integral part of the No. 1 defense in the NFL.
Please call 410-821-6252 for tickets, tables, or information about the 2008 Ed Block Courage Award Foundation banquet, or you can visit us on the web at www.edblock.org.
