FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker was honored to be named as the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner, but he took it with a grain of salt.
“I think it was kind of by default in a way, just because of the circumstances and I was the only one that was really hurt this offseason,” Welker said Thursday. “But it’s definitely an honor to be in the same breath as him.”
This is the 33rd season in which the award has been bestowed upon one member of every NFL team. Block was a long-time trainer for the Baltimore Colts who was a respected humanitarian dedicated to helping children.
Welker suffered a devastating knee injury during the Patriots’ 2009 regular-season finale, but that hasn’t halted his desire to play this weekend against the Dolphins.
“I’m here to play football,” Welker said. “That’s what I get paid to do, and I love playing it. No matter what is at stake or what the deal is, I want to play. I know people are probably thinking different about that, but I don’t worry about other stuff. Whatever coach [Bill] Belichick decides for me, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m always ready to play.”
