FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; WED., JAN. 1, 2015
FROM CINCINNATI BENGALS PUBLIC RELATIONS
BENGALS NAME DEVON STILL AS TEAM'S 2014 WINNER OF ED BLOCK COURAGE AWARD
The Bengals have named DT Devon Still as the recipient of their 2014 Ed Block Courage Award.
The award honors players who demonstrate commitment to the values of sportsmanship and courage. Each NFL team selects one player as its nominee. Still will be honored with other teams' recipients at the annual awards banquet in Baltimore after the 2014 season.
Still, a third-year Bengals and NFL player, had his world shaken this past offseason when his four-year old daughter, Leah, was diagnosed with Stage 4 pediatric cancer. Still responded to the life-changing news with an ongoing effort to raise public awareness of the struggles faced by all families struck by pediatric cancer.
The Bengals partnered in this effort for the benefit of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. There was tremendous national and even worldwide response to sales of Still's No. 75 jersey --- with nearly 15,000 ordered -- and more than $1.3 million from the sales was donated to Cincinnati Children's for pediatric cancer research.
"In addition to being a dedicated and loving father to Leah during this challenging time, Devon did great service to all affected families with newfound research monies to help continue to fight to treat this disease," said Bengals head athletic trainer Paul Sparling. "The manner in which Devon stepped up has helped literally thousands of other families suffering with pediatric cancer in their family as well."
Still has battled football injuries through much of his college and pro career, but he has come back this season to play in 12 games and is on the active roster for postseason. He has been credited with 19 tackles.
"While playing at Penn State, Devon overcame numerous injuries in college to become a formidable defensive lineman," said Sparling. "As an NFL player, he has had to overcome a dislocated elbow as well as season-ending back surgery."
Over three Bengals seasons, Still has played in 30 games and logged 37 tackles, including a shared sack, three passes defensed and a forced fumble.
