The Ed Block Courage Award

Ed Block was a hero in many ways. Under General Patton in World War II, he earned a Purple Heart. As an athletic trainer, he was a master in his chosen field. As a person, he was compassionate and giving.

Ed graduated from the University of Missouri with his master's degree in 1937. He initially began his career as a high school athletic trainer/coach in 1938 at Hancock High School in St. Louis, Missouri. After being drafted into the US Army in 1942, Ed advanced from the rank of Private to 1st Lieutenant and earned distinction with General George Patton's Tank Corp during World War II.

After discharge from the Army in 1947 he served as Head Athletic Trainer and physical education instructor at Washington University.

In 1951, he returned to college and completed his doctorate in rehabilitation and earned a degree in physical therapy from Columbia University.

The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of neglected children and ending the cycle of abuse. The purpose is to raise Awareness and Prevention of child abuse. That objective is coupled with the Foundation's commitment to celebrating players of inspiration in the NFL.

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. The award is a yearly honor given to those NFL players who "exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage."

(http://www.edblock.org/content/home)

Block sounds like a wonderful man who would be insulted by the fact that Philadelphia Eagles player Michael Vick was voted unanimously by his teammates to receive the Ed Block Courage Award this year.

How much courage does it take to torture defenseless dogs and be involved in the "sport" of dog-fighting? How does this behavior make him qualified to assist abused children? I also see no reason to celebrate his character.

Even more disturbing are Vick's comments:

“It means a great deal to me. I was voted unanimously by my teammates. They know what I’ve been through. I’ve been through a lot. It’s been great to come back and have an opportunity to play and be with a great group of guys. I’m just ecstatic about that and I enjoy every day.

“I’ve overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can handle or bear,” Vick said. “You ask certain people to walk through my shoes, they probably couldn’t do. Probably 95 percent of the people in this world because nobody had to endure what I’ve been through, situations I’ve been put in, situations I put myself in and decisions I have made, whether they have been good or bad.

“There’s always consequences behind certain things and repercussions behind them, too. And then you have to wake up every day and face the world, whether they perceive you in the right perspective, it’s a totally different outlook on you. You have to be strong, believe in yourself, be optimistic. That’s what I’ve been able to do. That’s what I display.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said the Eagles “fumbled when they gave Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award, which was named after a man who advocated in behalf of abused children … Michael Vick should not be the person anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to animals. We wish him well in educating others, but this is not appropriate and does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history.”

As always, I look forward to your comments and opinions.

Hey, Vick, we've got an award for you:

Happy Trails,