Today, Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller will be honored as the Bears’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award at a luncheon at Manzo’s Banquets in DesPlaines. The Ed Block Courage award is presented to one player on each NFL team who exemplifies a commitment to sportsmanship and courage. Teammates vote to determine the recipient.
Miller has been recovering from a serious injury that occurred in the Bears-Saints game on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans. Miller suffered a dislocated knee and a torn popliteal artery. At the University Medical Center in New Orleans, Miller underwent the first of nine surgeries in a grueling rehabilitation process. If the artery injury is not detected early, an athlete can lose his leg from such an injury.
Ed Block was a long-time head trainer with the Baltimore Colts who was a pioneer in his field. Each NFL team participating in the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation program selects a “Courage House” that supports victims of abuse, violence and neglect. The Bears’ designated Courage House is Maryville Academy’s Crisis Nursery in Des Plaines. Maryville is a social service agency which sponsors programs for children and families. Maryville’s Crisis Nursery provides temporary emergency child care for families in crisis.
The luncheon event itself also raises funds for the Ed McCaskey Scholarship at Maryville Academy which uses those funds for high school, college and vocational scholarships for the children of Maryville. The scholarship is named for Bears vice president and treasurer and longtime Maryville supporter Ed McCaskey.
CHICAGO BEARS Honoree List
2018 Zach Miller
2017 Kyle Long
2016 Pernell McPhee
2015 Robbie Gould
2014 Matt Slauson
2013 Patrick Mannelly
2012 Nick Roach
2011 Brian Urlacher
2010 Anthony Adams
2009 Israel Idonije
2008 Charles Tillman
2007 Tommie Harris
2006 Rex Grossman
2005 Ruben Brown
2004 Marc Colombo
2003 Dustin Lyman
2002 Ted Washington
2001 Jim Miller
2000 Clyde Simmons
1999 Ryan Wetnight
1998 John Thierry
1997 James Williams
1996 John Mangum
1995 Vinson Smith
1994 Kevin Butler
1993 Keith Van Horne
1992 Shaun Gayle
1991 John Wojciechowski
1990 Lemuel Stinson
1989 Ron Rivera
1988 Glen Kozlowski
1987 Ron Morris
1986 Mike Tomczak
1985 Mark Bortz
1984 Danny Rains
Our author, Patrick McCaskey, is Vice President of the Chicago Bears and the son of Edward McCaskey. Patrick McCaskey is the author of our Sports and Faith Series. His Worthwhile Struggle just publishes in 2019, is described on this site under products.
