Delvin Breaux wins Ed Block Courage Award for Saints
Delvin Breaux has been named the New Orleans Saints’ recipient of the 2015 Ed Block Courage Award after getting voted by his teammates.
Through thick and thin, Big Easy native and New Orleans Saints rookie cornerback Delvin Breaux has seen his fair share of adversity, which is why it’s only right to name him the winner. The honor is awarded annually to one player from each NFL team who has endured through some type of adversity.
Between hard work and preparation, Delvin Breaux, once an LSU-bound prospect, has been an absolute treasure in his rookie year for New Orleans. If it wasn’t for a devastating neck injury in high school nine years ago that ended his dreams of playing with the Tigers in Baton Rouge, he could have been doing these things in the NFL years ago.
Breaux broke three vertebrae in his neck in 2006 during a game his senior year at McDonogh 35 High School in New Orleans. After joining LSU, he never received medical clearance to play, which led to his departure and eventually his decision to give semi-pro football a shot.
Between 2012-2014, Delvin Breaux spent time in both the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League, including a stint with the New Orleans Voodoo. But in 2015, he finally got his shot at the big leagues after New Orleans signed him to a three-year deal in January as a free agent out of the CFL. He left the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to join his hometown Saints.
Through his first 12 weeks in the NFL, Breaux has been nothing short of great for a Saints team plagued by injuries on the defensive side of the ball, posting Pro Bowl caliber numbers at times. Allowing just over 50% of the balls thrown his way to be caught, Breaux has racked up 35 combined tackles, a team-high 17 passes defended, an interception and a fumble recovery in the process.
From NewOrleansSaints.com:
"“Given that I’ve been a member of this team for less than a year, I’m honored to have been selected for this award,” said Breaux. “While it’s a recognition of hard work and perseverance on my part, I would also like to thank my teammates and the entire Saints organization. The fact that my teammates voted for me to receive this honor in addition to their support and acceptance over the past year makes this even more significant. I’m also very appreciative of the Saints for providing me with the opportunity last January to play in the National Football League finally and for even better for my hometown team, which has made this journey even more satisfying.”"
The Ed Block Courage Award has become one of the most prestigious honors in the National Football League. Each year, it is given to players who display high standards of sportsmanship and intestinal fortitude through times of adversity. Who better to receive the prize than Delvin Breaux? All 32 recipients of the 2015 Ed Block Courage Award will be honored next spring in Baltimore.