Maryville

The Chicago Bears and Maryville Academy honored defensive tackle Tommie Harris as the Bears’ 2008 Ed Block Courage Award recipient at a luncheon benefiting Maryville’s Ed McCaskey Scholarship fund on April 8, 2008 at Maryville’s Gymnasium. 

The Ed Block Courage Award is given to one player on each NFL team that exhibits professionalism, strength, and dedication. After suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in 2006, Harris worked long and hard during the off-season to return in 2007 and make a huge impact for the Bears defense. Harris’ grueling off-season regimen helped enable the defensive tackle to appear in all 16 games in 2007 for the third time in his career, starting 13 of them. 

The Courage Award recipient from each team is also considered to be a role model in his community. With this honor, Harris enters into an association with the Courage House national support network, becoming a crusader for victims of abuse, violence and neglect. There are currently 16 Courage Houses presently connected with NFL teams; the Bears work with the Maryville Courage House, which is a crisis nursery.

The luncheon also honored the life and contributions of Ed McCaskey, who was a long time supporter and friend of Maryville. During his time with the Bears, McCaskey was known for his support and generosity. He was the 1992 Honorary National Champion of the 14th Annual Ed Block Courage Award. A scholarship fund has been established to carry on the spirit of giving that was so much a part of Ed McCaskey. The fund benefits Maryville’s education programs.