Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end John Chick was voted the 2012 Ed Block Courage Award winner by his teammates, the club announced today. Chick is one of 32 NFL players who will be honored in March at the annual Ed Block Courage Awards Dinner in Baltimore, Md.
The award is presented to a player from each team who exemplifies a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage and serves as a role model in the community.
Chick ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee on December 5, 2011 against San Diego. He immediately began his rehabilitation, which was a lengthy process that included the entire 2012 offseason. He opened the 2012 season on the club's physically unable to perform list before making his debut at Green Bay on October 28. The Gillette, Wyoming native has played in 16 games for the Jaguars after joining the club in 2011. He played three seasons (2007-09) in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan RoughRiders where he was voted the league's Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2009.
The Ed Block Courage Award is named for former Baltimore Colts Head Athletic Trainer Ed Block who worked for the organization from 1954 to 1977. The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation promotes the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness of the epidemic and assisting agencies who provide for the care and treatment of abused children in communities throughout the NFL.
Past Jaguars winners include Jarett Dillard (2011), Aaron Kampman (2010), Richard Collier (2009), Brad Meester (2008), Greg Jones (2007), Jorge Cordova (2006), Paul Spicer (2005), David Garrard (2004), Tony Brackens (2003), Fred Taylor (2002), Jimmy Smith (2001), Tony Boselli (2000), James Stewart (1999), Mark Brunell (1998), Dave Thomas (1997), Derek Brown (1996) and Paul Frase (1995).
