Mike Patterson Named Eagles' Ed Block Courage Award Recipient

by JasonB on Dec 23, 2011 9:50 AM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

There was a lot of trumped up controversy when the Eagles players elected Michael Vick as their recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in 2009. This season that's not going to be the case. Mike Patterson, who might represent the spirit of the award better than any player in recent memory has been voted as the Eagles winner this year.

The Ed Block courage award "honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage." The Eagles sent out a release recapping what has happened to him this season

During a training-camp practice on August 3, Patterson suffered a seizure and was taken to the hospital. He was later diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) on his brain - a tangle of blood vessels. He visited with four different doctors who specialize in AVM cases and also visited with a seizure specialist. All of the doctors cleared him to return to football, which he did just 17 days after his seizure, deciding to delay any procedures to fix the AVM until after the season.

Patterson will have to have a procedure to fix the tangle of blood vessels. If he would have had it back in training camp, it may have cost him the season. Instead, he's put it off until the offseason and started all 14 games this year.

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Patterson

Well deserved for Mike.

by Lito76 on Dec 23, 2011 9:56 AM EST via Android app reply actions

For he's a jolly good fellow!!!!

For he’s a jolly good fellow!!!!
For he’s a jolly good fellow!!!!
That nobody can deny!!!
That nobody can deny!!!
That nobody can deny!!!

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Dec 23, 2011 10:04 AM EST reply actions

Is the procedure he needs career threatening? Patterson has been great for us for a while, would be a big loss. The biggest concern is his long term health, as brains are fairly important.

by ATLeagle on Dec 23, 2011 10:05 AM EST reply actions

Probably not. There’s several possible treatments for AVM, the worst of which involves removing part of the skull. But I believe they said that they can treat Patterson’s with a minimally or non invasive procedure.

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by JasonB on Dec 23, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

would they put a metal plate in his head?

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Dec 23, 2011 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

Eddie: I don’t know if I oughta go sailin’ down no hill with nothin’ between the ground and my brains but a piece of government plastic.
Clark: Do you really think it matters, Eddie?

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Dec 23, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

Good for Mike!

This is a player that truly knows the meaning of putting the team first!

I grew up in Pa. but my job has taken me deep into the swamps of louisiana where all you here is "who dat, who dat" and on clear nights when the wind is gently blowing from the northwest you can hear the wimpers and sobs of jerry and his herd of cowgirls.

by eagleflownsouth on Dec 23, 2011 10:18 AM EST reply actions