HOUSTON – Texans tight end Brevin Jordan has been named as their Ed Block Courage award winner, recognizing his efforts on and off the field and ability to overcome adversity.
Jordan tore his patellar tendon during a gruesome training camp injury one year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against the Chicago Bears.
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The Texans signed Jordan to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season.
Jordan’s rehab is going extremely well.
The balloting is from his teammates. And Jordan has remained around the building working diligently alongside his teammates rehabbing his injury and maintaining a positive attitude. For his career, Jordan has 53 catches for 532 yards and five touchdowns.
“It means everything to me that my teammates voted for me to win this award,” Jordan said. “Coming back from an injury is a steady process, and I just take it day by day and embrace the journey. I love this city, I love this team, and I’m thankful to inspire others through my approach every day.”
The Ed Block Courage Award, established in 1984 and given to one player from every NFL team, honors players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. It has become one of the league’s most prestigious awards that a player can receive because it marks the only NFL award that is chosen solely by a vote of his peers.
This year’s winner will continue the annual tradition of traveling to Baltimore to receive their trophy at a gala in their honor and visit the Ed Block Courage House. The Ed Block Courage House is a facility that provides support and quality care for abused children and their families in the community. Block served as the longtime head athletic trainer for the former Baltimore Colts, and in addition to being a pioneer in athletic training, was passionate about causes that support children.
When Jordan got hurt in the Texans’ Methodist Training Center while running a route against linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, it was a somber, emotional moment that led to Ryans halting practice for several minutes,
Although he got up initially and waved off trainers, Jordan went to the ground and began crying and sobbing loudly. He was inconsolable, in obvious pain and feeling the evident frustration of getting hurt again after working extremely hard to battle back from last year’s injury.
Practice was halted for several minutes. Teammates, including quarterback C.J. Stroud checked on Jordan and prayed. Stroud was emotional, as were the rest of the players, including tight end Dalton Schultz.
Jordan was carted off the field through a side door with medical personnel. His loud screams could be heard from several yards away while he was inside the practice bubble and once he departed the facility.
Jordan, a deeply spiritual person, leaned heavily on his faith and family while engineering a comeback from the knee injury last year.
He knew he was back for sure when he hit 21.7 miles per hour in training. That was a bit faster than the 20.03 miles per hour he reached during a 76-yard touchdown catch against the Cleveland Browns that set the tone for a 45-14 AFC wild-card playoff win during Ryans’ first season in Houston.
Even though he was injured, Jordan signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract last season because of how strongly the team feels about him.
“I think it’s just being empathetic to all the guys and knowing how much work NFL players go through, how much their bodies take and knowing the other side of it when guys are done playing and the effects it has on guys,” Ryans said. “The game, it puts a lot of guys in bad shape, so I don’t take that lightly. It’s just tough. Anytime I see guys go down, it’s tough to swallow because I know all the work these guys put in.
“Their road to recovery, I’m thinking, I’ve been on that road. I know how dark that road can be at times. It’s just constant prayer for all the guys around the NFL that go down with injuries.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com