Eden Prairie, MN (January 4, 2018) – Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph has been selected as the club's 2017 Ed Block Courage Award recipient by his teammates. The seventh-year tight end earned the respect of his teammates and coaches with his dedication to helping young children at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's hospital. The Notre Dame alum and team captain earned the Vikings Community Man of the Year award after opening Kyle Rudolph's End Zone, a place for patients to relax, spend times with friends and family, and escape the grind of the hospital. Rudolph was inspired to give back by his experience as a young child in children's hospitals while his brother fought and defeated neuroblastoma cancer. Along with the End Zone, Rudolph sponsors Holiday Huddles at the hospital and raised money for the hospital through his Draft Party, Lord Fletcher's Lake Bash, Champions for Children Golf Classic and Rudy's Red Eye. Rudolph is also active with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, MATTER, Second Harvest Heartland, American Cancer Society, James Beard Foundation and Athletes First Classic.
Since 1984 the Ed Block Courage Awards annually honors one player from every NFL team who exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Recipients are selected by a vote of their teammates to recognize both on and off the field extra efforts and their ability to overcome great adversity, whether it be personal or professional. The Ed Block Courage Award is named in honor of Ed Block, the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts. Winners travel to Baltimore every March to receive their trophy at a gala in their honor and spend time at the local Courage House at St. Vincent's Center, a facility specializing in working with abused children. This visit, and the time spent with the children, allows each recipient to fully comprehend the true meaning of the award.
For more information on the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, visit www.edblock.org.
View images of the ribbon cutting of Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph's End Zone at the University of Minnesota's Masonic Children's Hospital.
Vikings Ed Block Courage Honorees
Vikings Ed Block Courage Honorees
Kyle Rudolph: 2017
Teddy Bridgewater: 2016
Phil Loadholt: 2015
Greg Jennings: 2014
Kevin Williams: 2013
Adrian Peterson: 2012
Anthony Herrera: 2011
Cedric Griffin: 2010
E.J. Henderson: 2009
Kenechi Udeze: 2008
Chad Greenway: 2007
Matt Birk: 2006
Koren Robinson: 2005
Corey Chavous: 2004
Eric Kelly: 2003
Lewis Kelly: 2002
Daunte Culpepper: 2001
Gary Anderson: 2000
Robert Griffith: 1999
Randall Cunningham: 1998
Robert Smith: 1997
Scottie Graham: 1996
John Randle: 1995
Cris Carter: 1994
Henry Thomas: 1993
Darrin Nelson: 1992
Terry Allen: 1991
Gary Zimmerman: 1990
Jim Gustafson: 1989
Leo Lewis: 1988
Scott Studwell: 1987
Walker Lee Ashley: 1986
Keith Nord: 1985
Steve Riley: 1984
