Allen Robinson named Jaguars 2015 Ed Block Courage Award winner

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars second-year wide receiver Allen Robinson has been named the team’s 2015 Ed Block Courage Award Winner, as voted on by his teammates. The Ed Block Courage Award is an annual award presented to players in the NFL, who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration, sportsmanship and courage.

On November 11, 2014, the then-Jaguars rookie wide receiver was placed on the team’s injured reserve list after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. The injury occurred in a Week 10 matchup vs. the Dallas Cowboys played in London’s Wembley Stadium. At the time of his injury, Robinson’s 48 receptions were tied for the most by a rookie through Week 10. Shortly after his injury, Robinson underwent surgery, and began running in February of 2015. Robinson, along with teammate Allen Hurns, spent the offseason in Jacksonville training and working with QB Blake Bortles.

“When the injury occurred last year, it was a little frustrating, but I saw it as an opportunity to get healthy, focus on my craft and get better for the 2015 season,” Robinson said. “It’s an honor to receive this award from my teammates, but there are so many deserving players on our team. Guys battle through bumps and bruises all year.

“Once I was healthy in the offseason, I really wanted to take my game to the next level. I spent a lot of time in Jacksonville with Hurns and Blake and a bunch of other guys, and I felt like it was very beneficial,” said Robinson. “I was able to work with our strength staff and our trainers and really prepare myself for my second season. I entered this year with a free mind about the injury and that’s really a credit to our medical staff. I’m very fortunate to be in an organization that has such supportive teammates, coaches, front office personnel and fans.”

In his second season, Robinson has emerged as a star on the Jaguars offense with 55 receptions for 927 yards (16.9 rec. avg.) and eight touchdowns through 12 games. Robinson is the youngest player in NFL history to register 900-plus receiving yards and eight-plus receiving touchdowns through the first 11 games of a season. Robinson needs 73 receiving yards to become the first Jaguars player since Jimmy Smith in 2005 to register 1,000-plus receiving yards in a single season.

“One thing I’ve learned about this league is that you have to be very diligent in your preparation,” said Robinson. “Along with watching film and studying the playbook, you have to take care of your body, day in and day out. The injury helped allow me to be more conscientious about my routine. It was an unfortunate circumstance, but with every obstacle, you have to make the most out of it. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to play in this league and I will never take that for granted.”

The Ed Block Courage Award is named in honor of Ed Block, the former trainer for the Baltimore Colts (1954-1977), who raised awareness for the prevention of child abuse and helped establish “Courage Houses,” a national network of houses that help abused children in NFL cities around the country.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation announced that Neighbor To Family has been chosen to be the Jaguars/Ed Block Courage House award recipient. Neighbor To Family, headquartered in Daytona Beach, FL, with offices in Jacksonville, specializes in keeping sibling groups together. The award was presented at a special luncheon on Oct. 13 at Daytona International Speedway. For more information on the Ed Block Courage Award, please visit http://www.jaguars.com/edblock/.