FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo was selected as the recipient of the 2015 Ed Block Courage Award. The honor is bestowed annually upon the player who best exemplifies the principles of courage and sportsmanship while also serving as a source of inspiration. Mayo and award winners from the 31 other NFL teams will be honored at the 38th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards Banquet in Baltimore on March 12, 2016.

Mayo returned to action in 2015 and played in all 16 regular-season games with eight starts after being limited to six games in 2013 and 2014 due to injury. Mayo has been named a team co-captain for seven straight seasons after joining the Patriots as a first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2008. He has been voted to two Pro Bowls and was named 2010 All-Pro in addition to being named the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008. He led the Patriots in tackles in each of his first five NFL seasons, tying the team record for most consecutive seasons leading the team in tackles. 

The Ed Block Courage Award is named after Ed Block, a long-time head trainer for the Baltimore Colts and a respected humanitarian dedicated to helping children. Recipients are often players who have overcome devastating injuries or tragedies in their personal lives to return to top-level competition in the NFL. 

Officially organized in 1986, the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is sanctioned by the NFL and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS). The foundation is committed to heightening awareness of the plight of abused children in cities throughout the league. Proceeds from the annual Courage Awards event benefit the Foundation's Courage House National Support Network For Kids.