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January 10, 2007

Harrison wins Ed Block Courage Award

Per the Patriots:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Rodney Harrison has been selected by his Patriots teammates to receive the 2006 Ed Block Courage Award. The honor is bestowed annually upon the player who, according to his teammates, best exemplifies the principles of courage and sportsmanship while also serving as a source of inspiration. Harrison and award winners from 31 other teams will be honored at the 28th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards Banquet in Baltimore in March.

Harrison, a captain of the defensive backfield since joining the Patriots as a free agent in 2003, is one of New England’s most spirited leaders on and off the field. The NFL’s all-time leader in sacks by a defensive back was targeting a third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl when he was injured in Week 3 of the 2005 season. The then 12-year veteran tore ligaments in his knee, ending his season and threatening his career, but he immediately vowed to recover and return to the field. Throughout his 10-month rehabilitation, Harrison remained a visible presence at the Patriots’ facility and a leader and confidant to his teammates.

Harrison returned to the field, ahead of schedule, during the 2006 preseason. He started and collected eight tackles against the Buffalo Bills in the Patriots’ 2006 season opener, and started the next seven games before suffering a shoulder injury in Week 9. Again, Harrison committed himself to rehabilitation, and returned in Week 16 to help the Patriots clinch a fourth consecutive AFC East championship with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his first year back from his knee injury, Harrison started 10 games on a defense that broke a franchise record for points allowed (14.81 ppg).

Harrison, a two-time Pro Bowler, signed with the Patriots in 2003 after nine years with the San Diego Chargers. In 13 NFL seasons, the 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pound safety has recorded 1,099 tackles (844 solo), 28.5 sacks, 32 interceptions, 106 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He is the only player in NFL history to record at least 25 career sacks and at least 30 career interceptions.

The award is named for Ed Block, a longtime head trainer for the Baltimore Colts and a respected humanitarian dedicated to helping children. Recipients are often players who have overcome devastating injuries or tragedies in their personal lives to return to top-level competition in the NFL.

Officially formulated in 1986, the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is sanctioned by the NFL and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS). The Foundation is committed to heightening awareness of the plight of abused children in cities throughout the league. Proceeds from the annual Courage Awards event benefit the Foundation’s Courage House National Support Network For Kids.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:44 PM | Permalink