Indianapolis Colts safety Clayton Geathers has been selected by his teammates as the recipient of the 2017 Ed Block Courage Award.
The award is an annual recognition for courageous play by an individual and Geathers is one of 32 National Football League players who earned the accolade. The players of each member club nominate an individual annually and those chosen are honored at a banquet in Baltimore each March.
Geathers has played in 24 career games (11 starts) for the Colts since being selected by the team in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has tallied 91 tackles (77 solo), six passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 10 special teams stops.
Geathers has maintained a strong presence in the Indianapolis community. He has participated in numerous community events specializing in assisting underserved families and children. Geathers has volunteered his time at the Colts annual playground build and helped pack meals for the Million Meal Marathon. He visited the Gleaners Food Bank for the Mayor's Day of Service where he packed backpacks with food for local students. Geathers was a volunteer for the Colts Cold Feet Warm Shoes event where he fitted students for new shoes and hats. He shopped for the holidays with undeserved youth as part of Shop with a Colt and donated to the Colts Care Back to School Shopping event. This month, he made a visit to the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in honor of Veteran's Day and spent time with servicemen and women thanking them for their service.
The award is named after Ed Block who was the head athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts from 1954-1977. He served as trainer emeritus with the club until he passed away in 1983.
Past winners of the award dating back to 2000, include: QB-Andrew Luck (2016), G/T-Joe Reitz (2015), TE-Dwayne Allen (2014), DE-Cory Redding (2013), S-Antoine Bethea (2012), DE-Robert Mathis (2011), DE-Dwight Freeney (2010), DB-Marlin Jackson (2009), C-Jeff Saturday (2008), OG-Ryan Lilja (2007), WR-Reggie Wayne (2006), LB-Cato June (2005), LB-Gary Brackett (2004), DE-Chad Bratzke (2003), LB-Rob Morris (2002), QB-Peyton Manning (2001) and DT-Bernard Whittington (2000).
The 40th annual Ed Block Courage Award dinner is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2018 in Baltimore. Proceeds from the affair benefit the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation in Baltimore. The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation's objective is to establish homes for abused children in each NFL city. Indianapolis established an Ed Block Courage home (Children's Bureau) in October of 2000. The home is part of a national support network for abused children.
