The Dallas Cowboys suffered one of the most trying season full of injuries of recent memory in 2020. Not only were there catastrophic, season ending injuries to key stars such as Dak Prescott and Tyron Smith, but other players were in and out of the lineup all season. The team, in an altered situation thanks to COVID-19 protocols and changes to the injured reserve rules, shuffled players back and forth between the active roster and IR.
With a myriad of nicks, bumps, bruises, breaks, sprains and strains, the Cowboys training staff was constantly under pressure. Apparently they handled it with a league-best effort. On Thursday, they were awarded the Ed Block courage award for the Training Staff of the Year.
We are excited to announce that the 2021 @NFL Athletic Training Staff Of The Year was awarded to the @dallascowboys. Congratulations!!! @EdBlock pic.twitter.com/1iSIGxTQtL
— PFATS (@pfats_com) February 4, 2021
From the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society’s website:
The Ed Block Courage Award for NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year is voted on by the PFATS membership and recognizes one NFL athletic training staff annually for their distinguished service to their club, community, and athletic training profession. Ed Block was the head athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts from 1954-1977. Block suffered a massive coronary during training camp in 1978. The players that he cared for over his career are the same players that rushed to aid, performed CPR and saved his life that summer. Following that incident, he continued to serve as an Athletic Trainer Emeritus with the Colts from 1979 to 1983, where continued to mentor the athletic trainers that followed. Ed Block was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1974. His tireless contributions towards the healthcare of the Baltimore Colts, was second to his efforts as a humanitarian. Ed Block made significant contributions to improve the lives of children everywhere. The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is committed to provide hope for children who are abused and neglected, with the goals of both raising awareness and supporting child abuse prevention.
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