Chicago Bears name Roquan Smith their Ed Block Courage Award winner

Roquan Smith on Thursday was named the Chicago Bears’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.

Bears teammates voted for the fourth-year inside linebacker to receive the award, which is given annually to one player on each NFL team who best displays professionalism, strength and dedication and is a community role model.

Smith, 24, had his best season in 2020, totaling 139 tackles, including 18 for a loss, four sacks, six quarterback hits, two interceptions, seven passes defended and a forced fumble.

Smith and the NFL’s other 31 recipients will be honored in an online ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday through the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, which supports the well-being of abused, neglected and at-risk children.

Locally, the award benefits the Ed McCaskey Scholarship Fund, which donates to high school, college and vocational scholarships for the children of Maryville Academy.

Here’s a list of Bears winners.

• 1984: Danny Rains (LB)

• 1985: Mark Bortz (G)

• 1986: Mike Tomczak (QB)

• 1987: Ron Morris (WR)

• 1988: Glen Kozlowski (WR)

• 1989: Ron Rivera (LB)

• 1990: Lemuel Stinson (CB)

• 1991: John Wojciechowski (T)

• 1992: Shaun Gayle (S)

• 1993: Keith Van Horne (T)

• 1994: Kevin Butler (K)

• 1995: Vinson Smith (LB)

• 1996: John Mangum (S)

• 1997: James Williams (T)

• 1998: John Thierry (DE)

• 1999: Ryan Wetnight (TE)

• 2000: Clyde Simmons (DE)

• 2001: Jim Miller (QB)

• 2002: Ted Washington (DT)

• 2003: Dustin Lyman (TE)

• 2004: Marc Colombo (T)

• 2005: Ruben Brown (G)

• 2006: Rex Grossman (QB)

• 2007: Tommie Harris (DT)

• 2008: Charles Tillman (CB)

• 2009: Israel Idonije (DE)

• 2010: Anthony Adams (DT)

• 2011: Brian Urlacher (LB)

• 2012: Nick Roach (LB)

• 2013: Patrick Mannelly (LS)

• 2014: Matt Slauson (G)

• 2015: Robbie Gould (K)

• 2016: Pernell McPhee (LB)

• 2017: Kyle Long (OL)

• 2018: Zach Miller (TE)

• 2019: Allen Robinson II (WR)

• 2020: Roquan Smith (LB)

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