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Philadelphia Eagles practice squad defensive end Joe Ostman is the team’s recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award for the 2020 NFL season.
The annual award honors “those National Football League players who exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage” and is determined by a vote from players.
Ostman earned this award in part due to bouncing back from the ACL injury he suffered in August 2019. It had looked like Ostman was going to make the 53-man roster last season before getting hurt.
Ostman had another good training camp this year and arguably deserved to make the team over Genard Avery but the Eagles kept him around the practice squad instead. He played his first regular season snaps (nine defense and five special teams) when he was temporarily elevated for Philly’s Week 11 game against the Cleveland Browns. It was a rough go for him when he got flattened by a nasty Nick Chubb stiff arm but, hey, at least the 2018 undrafted rookie free agent signing finally got to play in the NFL.
Jordan Mailata, who has played well this season and looks like he could be a future starter at left tackle, credited Ostman for his development while not even being prompted to do so. Here’s what Mailata said after his first career start back in Week 4:
“First of all, I’ve got to give a special thanks to Joe Ostman this week. Joe really worked me during all the reps this week and I feel like he prepared me for this game. Even when I didn’t know I was starting, he worked me, he made sure that I was getting a good look, made sure I was getting off the ball, snap cadences as well. So, hats off to Joey Ostman. Smokin’ Joe.”
Ostman has become the new version of Steven Means. And by that I mean a player who doesn’t really play much in the games but challenges the offensive line in practice to get them ready for game day. It’s not a job that will typically get much glory so it’s nice to see Ostman’s teammates give him some recognition by voting him as this year’s winner.
Philadelphia Eagles Ed Block Courage Award Recipients
2020 Joe Ostman
2019 Brandon Brooks
2018 Carson Wentz
2017 Joe Walker
2016 Nolan Carroll
2015 Fletcher Cox
2014 Jeremy Maclin
2013 Jason Kelce
2012 Colt Anderson
2011 Mike Patterson
2010 Jason Avant
2009 Michael Vick
2008 Jon Dorenbos
2007 Montae Reagor
2006 Jerome McDougle
2005 Chad Lewis
2004 Derrick Burgess
2003 Correll Buckhalter
2002 Shawn Barber
2001 Duce Staley & Tommy Brasher
2000 Cecil Martin
1999 Mike Mamula
1998 Bobby Taylor
1997 Rhett Hall
1996 Kevin Turner
1995 Charlie Garner
1994 Fred Barnett
1993 Andre Waters
1992 Jerome Brown
1991 David Alexander
1990 Ron Solt
1989 Mike Quick
1988 Wes Hopkins
1987 Gerry Feehery
1986 Jody Schultz
1985 Ron Jaworski
1984 John Spagnola