Receiver Allen Robinson II will be presented with the Bears' 2019 Ed Block Courage Award on Tuesday, April 7 during a luncheon at Manzo's Banquets in Des Plaines.
The prestigious awards are given to one player on all 32 NFL teams who best exemplifies a commitment to sportsmanship and courage and serves as an inspiration in the locker room. The award recipients, who are voted for by their teammates, symbolize professionalism, great strength and dedication, and they are considered community role models.
Each NFL team participating in the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation program selects a "Courage House" that supports victims of abuse, violence and neglect. The Bears' designated Courage House is Maryville Academy's Crisis Nursery in Des Plaines. Maryville is a social service agency which sponsors programs for children and families. Maryville's Crisis Nursery is the first of its kind in the Chicago area. It provides parents with free around-the-clock childcare for up to 72 hours for each stay.
Robinson has spent the past two seasons with the Bears. In 2019, he led the team with a career-high 98 receptions for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns. In the process, he became only the third receiver in Bears history with at least 95 catches and 1,100 yards in a season. Marty Booker was the first to do it in 2002, while Brandon Marshall accomplished the feat in 2012 and again in 2013.
Robinson was also named the Bears' nominee for the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes players for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the field.
The Ed Block Courage Award luncheon honors the late Ed McCaskey by raising money for a fund in his name that provides high school, college and vocational scholarships to the children of Maryville. During his tenure with the Bears—first as vice president and treasurer and later as chairman and chairman emeritus—McCaskey was known for his generosity to Maryville.
Ed Block was a long-time head trainer with the Baltimore Colts who was a pioneer in his field. The foundation promotes the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness of the epidemic and assisting agencies that provide for the care and treatment of abused children.
Block and his wife dedicated their lives to helping children in distress as foster parents and advisers. There are presently 23 Courage Houses connected with NFL teams and this is the 42nd year the awards have been presented.
Tickets to the luncheon cost $70. Click here for more information.
