By Joe Platania, PressBox Staff
 
It's not often those in the football business are asked to get philosophical.  However, beneath the pads and tape, beneath the sweat, strains, bumps and bruises of every NFL player, there beats the strongest of hearts. Ed Block, the late Baltimore Colts trainer, always knew that. 

Corey Ivy, Baltimore Ravens (Sabina Moran/PressBox)

So, during last week's 29th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards Banquet several NFL players and coaches were asked to reflect on what courage means to them. After all, the annual lavish affair is meant to celebrate those who have overcome adversity to return to their teams and contribute at a high level. 

One of the highlights of this year's affair was the honoring of Detroit Lions security director Ricky Sandoval, the first non-player representative to be presented with a Courage Award. 

Sandoval was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a form of the disease that has a meager survival rate of 4-7 percent. But last season, he still performed the many duties his job requires: overseeing the players' belongings, organizing police escorts for the team buses and generally making sure things run smoothly around the squad. 

Each year, all 32 teams elect one representative by player vote to the dinner as their own Ed Block Courage Award winner. Their accomplishments are celebrated at the banquet, as well as their annual day-before-banquet visit to the St. Vincent's Center in Timonium, also known as the Courage House.  

Sandoval, who lost 70 pounds and had to endure a blood clot in a lung that subsequently collapsed, felt a special connection to the children there. 

Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears (Sabina Moran/PressBox)

"For me, it was an eye-opening experience there," said Sandoval, who earned a standing ovation from the Martin's West crowd. "To visit St. Vincent's and to have this Courage Award, I truly appreciate this. It's an honor." 

It is the Ed Block Courage Foundation's goal to have Courage Houses in all 32 NFL cities. This year, a new one opened in Green Bay, the 18th such city to have a facility. It was important to Block, the longtime Baltimore Colts trainer, that disadvantaged children would be accounted for and cared for in an appropriate way. 

Ravens representative Corey Ivy's story is well-documented.  

After a Monday night game in Denver, the team plane had to make an emergency landing in Pittsburgh due to Ivy's torn kidney and subsequent inflammation. The veteran cornerback missed three games, but returned to the field --- and had his best day in the Ravens' shutout home win over the Steelers. 

Besides the players, the banquet also noted the good works of others that have made football America's most popular sport. 

Ravens' defensive coordinator Rex Ryan received the league's Assistant Coach of the Year award from Pro Football Weekly magazine; head coach Brian Billick had won it in 1998 when he was Minnesota's offensive coordinator.  

The award is voted on by members of the Pro Football Writers Association (full disclosure: this reporter included). With the stinging divisional playoff loss to Indianapolis still fresh, Ryan used the occasion to get in a little good-natured trash talk. 

"Next year," he told the players in attendance, "we're coming after each and every one of you." 

The Miami Dolphins' training staff, headed by former Dallas trainer Kevin O'Neill, was named the league's best for 2006 and longtime University of Maryland football/basketball radio play-by-play man Johnny Holliday was inducted into the Baltimore Sports Media Hall of Fame. That is a rather exclusive body that also has Chuck Thompson, Vince Bagli and Jim McKay among its membership. 

But when all the glitz, glamour and good wishes of the evening were stripped away, several NFL notables in attendance were asked a relevant question, "What does courage mean to you?" Here's what they had to say:   

REX RYAN 
"It means everything. You have to have it. I think it's what separates guys that don't make it from guys that do make it, from good players to great players. (It's about) people that make it in the world. It takes courage to do a lot of different things, not just football, and you see these people that are represented here. This is an amazing thing. It's an emotional time when you hear the stories and all what they've overcome. You put yourself in their shoes and you really don't know how you would respond. 

"I coached (Ivy) at the University of Oklahoma years ago and he is a pit bull. He is tougher than nails. When he had that injury (in Denver) and then went back in the game with a lacerated kidney, it's an amazing thing. That's why he made it -- he's not fast, he's not tall, he's not this or that. He's a tough little guy who's a survivor. 

"You know the people that have (courage) and those that don't. You're not born with it, you have to go through some tough times. It's amazing, the stories these players have. What more can you say about a guy? Your teammates are saying that you've won that right. This is quite an award."   

COREY IVY 
"It's about overcoming adversity. It's going to come in every walk of life, not just athletics but in every walk of life. You have to have strength to overcome it. Some people are born with courage from their parents, and some overcome it by going through tough times and tribulations.

"We interacted with the kids at St. Vincent's and it was good to see all the smiles on their faces. That's what you try to do, touch one of those young men or young women and hopefully spread some joy and make their day. 

"It's an honor, but other guys on our team were deserving of the honor also. Ed Reed coming off an ankle injury, Ray Lewis coming off an injury. It's a great honor to represent the Ravens the best way I can. I have no complications from my injury so far, so I'm ready to go."   

REX GROSSMAN 
The Chicago Bears quarterback saw his career temporarily derailed with a torn knee ligament in 2004 and broken ankle in 2005, but he recovered to lead the Bears to their first Super Bowl appearance in 21 years. 

"It's about confidence through adversity. It's about being persistent, determined, and ready to reach your goal. I think it's about nature versus nurture; I'm sure both come into play. 

"It was a special year to play the whole season. To win a playoff game in overtime and get to the Super Bowl. We were just one step away from being world champions. Motivation is never really a factor, it's more about gaining experience in winning playoff games." 

"(The Block award is) a cool thing and you're always looking for respect from your teammates. For them to vote me to get this award is something special. I've met a lot of really great people here."   

LOUIS GREEN 
The Denver linebacker was an undrafted free agent originally signed by the Ravens in 2002. His mother passed away during the offseason before the 2005 campaign, one that ended with Green's special teams contributions helping the Broncos reach the AFC Championship Game for the first time in eight years. 

"Everybody's been through something in our society today, and that's hard on people. That's why this award is so special. 

"You can't get the full aura of what this means until you see the smiles on the faces of the children (at St. Vincent's). I think we didn't spend enough time there. One little girl said to me, 'When are you coming back?' "   

STEVE MARIUCCI 
The former San Francisco and Detroit head coach and current NFL Network analyst was in town to present Sandoval with his award. 

"(Courage is about) what people have to deal with and go through things that may not be common knowledge to the general public. There's so many people that have misfortune and disadvantages in their world. Those people that have to go through that deal with it on a daily basis are the people that gain our respect.  

"We're in a position as NFL people to help in any way. These guys are involved in several charities, many foundations, but I think in some way, it's our privilege to help. In my mind, it's our obligation, because we're in a position to help and we should. 

"Sometimes, life experiences force us to have to deal with them. Life takes many turns, like it does with Ricky Sandoval. He's not a player, but when you're diagnosed with cancer your life takes a turn that requires courage. It's not easy, and it's different from a football injury. Cancer affects all of us in some way. 

"I'm happy to be here for the first time. We always send a player as a representative, but it's great to be here and experience it for myself. It's spreading through the NFL and it's going to be in every city with Courage Houses." 

Issue 2.13: March 29, 2007