2008 Ed Block Courage Awards - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board

Napo · #1 (**permalink**) 03-26-2008, 07:17 PM

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Oakland Raiders players, past and present, and executives will join the public for an Awards Gala to celebrate the 2008 Ed Block Courage Award winner, RB Justin Fargas, on Monday, April 28th at 6:00 pm. at the Hilton - Oakland Airport.
The Ed Block Courage Award annually honors one player from every NFL team who exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. The award has become one of the most esteemed honors bestowed upon a player in the NFL, primarily because his selection is based upon a vote of his peers and recognizes a player’s efforts on and off the field, as well as their ability to overcome great adversity. Courage Award recipients embody everything that is positive about professional athletes as they serve as inspirations in their locker rooms and constructive role models in their communities.

This year’s award winner, RB Justin Fargas, excelled during the 2007 season, despite having to miss the final two games due to an MCL sprain. The running back set a career high for rushing yards (1,009) and ran for four touchdowns. Fargas just re-signed with the Silver and Black for his sixth season. Due to Fargas’ persistence and hard work to overcome his injury, the Raiders players voted him as the 2007 Ed Block Courage Award winner.

The evening also features award presentations to several of Fred Finch Youth Center’s bravest youth for demonstrating courage, perseverance, and resilience in overcoming personal challenges, trauma and abuse.

This Awards Gala benefits The Oakland Raiders Courage House: Fred Finch Youth Center, a national leader in providing innovative programs for emotionally challenged youth and their families. Fred Finch, one of the oldest and most respected Bay Area service providers for at-risk and developmentally delayed youth, provides hope and healing to youth who struggle with the challenges of chronic mental illness, substance abuse, chronic loss and trauma, histories of abuse and neglect and, often, the compounding realities of poverty and racial injustice. Support from the Oakland Raiders and the event’s attendees is critical in allowing Fred Finch Youth Center to continue serving the area with programs that each year offer education, therapy and a safe haven for over 1,200 children and teens in need.

The Awards Gala includes dinner and both live and silent auctions. Advance tickets are required.

For more information, contact Sara McGlynn at saramcglynn@fredfinch.org or visit Fred Finch Youth Center - Home Page.