The Philadelphia Eagles announced that defensive tackle Mike Patterson has been named the team's 2011 Ed Block Courage Award recipient.
Each year, the Ed Block Courage Award honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. They are selected in a vote by their teammates for team effort as well as individual performance.
Originally a first-round pick out of USC in 2005, Patterson has been one of the Eagles most reliable and consistent defensive players, recording 534 tackles and 15.5 sacks over his seven-year career, and not missing a single game due to injury.
During a training camp practice on August 3, Patterson suffered a seizure and was taken to the hospital. He was later diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) on his brain – a tangle of blood vessels. He visited with four different doctors who specialize in AVM cases and also visited with a seizure specialist. All of the doctors cleared him to return to football, which he did just 17 days after his seizure, deciding to delay any procedures to fix the AVM until after the season.
In his first preseason appearance after returning to the field, Patterson sacked Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and received a rousing ovation from the home crowd. He has started in all 14 games so far this year, registering 58 tackles and 2.5 sacks, his highest sack total since having 4.0 in 2007.
"I've been associated with this award for my 19 years in the National Football League and Mike is one of the most deserving candidates that I have ever been around," said head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder. "His courage to play with this condition and to put off any further procedures until the offseason shows his commitment to his teammates and to the Philadelphia Eagles."
Previous Eagles Ed Block Courage Award winners: Jason Avant (2010), Michael Vick (2009), Jon Dorenbos (2008), Montae Reagor (2007), Jerome McDougle (2006), Chad Lewis (2005), Derrick Burgess (2004), Correll Buckhalter (2003), Shawn Barber (2002), Duce Staley and Tommy Brasher (2001), Cecil Martin (2000), Mike Mamula (1999), Bobby Taylor (1998), Rhett Hall (1997), Kevin Turner (1996), Charlie Garner (1995), Fred Barnett (1994), Andre Waters (1993), Jerome Brown (1992), David Alexander (1991), Ron Solt (1990), Mike Quick (1989), Wes Hopkins (1988), Gerry Feehery (1987), Jody Schultz (1986), Ron Jaworski (1985), John Spagnola (1984).
Patterson, along with one player from each of the other 31 NFL teams, will be honored at the Ed Block Courage Award Banquet on March 13, 2012 in Baltimore, Md. For more information on this award and the banquet, please contact the Ed Block office at (410-821-6252) or log on to EdBlock.org.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @EaglesInsider
