The Dallas Cowboys have a recently named award winner in their linebacker core.
This linebacker won an award, not many people have probably heard of, but it is a player who worked hard to overcome challenges at the beginning of his career.
This news is some of the only good news for the Dallas Cowboys organization, as several players and coaches are in limbo until the offseason officially starts.
As fans sit and wait for coaching and player news, be happy for the young man who received the Ed Block Courage Award.
The Ed Block Courage Award
The Ed Block Courage Award honors NFL players who demonstrate sportsmanship and courage. Each year, all 32 teams vote to select their recipient, chosen solely by their teammates.
The Ed Block Courage Award recipient embodies professionalism, strength, and dedication and serves as a community role model. By receiving this honor, he joins the Courage House National Support Network for Kids as an Ambassador of Courage for victims of abuse, violence, and neglect.
Who is Ed Block?
Ed Block was a hero who earned a Purple Heart under General Patton in World War II. He excelled as an athletic trainer and was known for his compassion and generosity.
Ed was the Head Athletic Trainer for the Baltimore Colts from 1954 to 1977, having joined the team at the request of coach Weeb Ewbank. He cared for the legendary players during the Colts’ glory years and was inducted into the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) Hall of Fame in 1974.
The Cowboy’s past nine winners of the Ed Block award are:
- 2023 – Jourdan Lewis
- 2022 – Michael Gallup
- 2021 – Dak Prescott
- 2020 – Leighton Vander Esch
- 2019 – Travis Frederick
- 2018 – Zack Martin
- 2017 – Jaylon Smith
- 2016 – Terrell McClain
- 2015 – Sean Lee
All these players showed their teammates the courage and hard work it takes to play at a high level after a significant injury. The player who won the award for 2024 is no different.
The 2024 Winner: DeMarvion Overshown
In the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys focused on their defense, selecting a linebacker who did not have to travel far for his new home.
DeMarvion Overshown was a linebacker at the University of Texas before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
Overshown missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL in his left knee sustained during the preseason. The 24-year-old fully recovered and has been a standout performer on the Cowboys’ defense this season.
Overshown tallied 90 tackles (56 solo), eight tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, one pick-six, and a forced fumble.
DeMarvion Overshown is the third Cowboy to achieve at least five sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble in the same season. He joins DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.
The latest injury occurred during the Week 14 home game, where the team lost 27-20 to the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8).
While trying to tackle Bengals running back Chase Brown, Overshown engaged with guard Alex Cappa. In the process, a Bengals offensive lineman fell on Overshown’s right leg.
Because of the effort and courage this season after his knee injury last year, his teammates voted him the Ed Block Courage Award winner.
The young man had a successful second surgery and is looking to return late in the 2025 season.
The second injury, which was on the opposite knee from the 2023 injury, is a significant setback for the young linebacker who was making a name for himself.
This is not keeping DeMarvion Overshown down. “They haven’t talked timeline with me,” he said. “They know how I am, don’t tell me I’m going to miss the whole season or don’t tell me I can play at the beginning of the season. Being me, I’m going to try and get there right now. It’s kinda like last year, we get to the nine-month period and see how I am.”
“I’ll be back playing football for sure in 2025, and it won’t be in December, it will be before that.”
As much adversity as DeMarvion Overshown has faced with injuries over the last two years, his resiliency has not been affected, and he could come back stronger and hungrier than before.
This is an excellent sign for a Cowboys defense that was turning it around late in the season, and Overshown was a major reason for that turnaround.
Fans can only sit and wait to see DeMarvion Overshown back on the field, but after receiving the Ed Block Courage Award, it shows the man is a fighter and will see the field again.