The Philadelphia Eagles 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.
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 QB 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 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).
Congrats to Mike Patterson for winning this award and for remaining healthy after a pretty scary episode back in Summer Camp.. as far as Football goes, he has had a very solid season…
Excellent choice birds…..that was a scary event, very glad to see how he has been able to work to get back….hopefully he will have it addressed in the off-season and there will be no more worries…congrats Mike P
The eagles pretty much tainted this award after they gave it to vick 2 years ago.
Agreed paul. Good thing they didn’t trade him like you’ve been predicting for years
I still think Bunkley would have flourished more under Washburbn’s attack and up the field Scheme’s than Patterson but we will never get to find out and with Patterson’s medical situation back from the Summer, no Team is likely to Trade for Patterson and he will remain an Eagle for his playing days.. but I am happy for him that his medical situation appears to be under control with no relapses..