Playing football again last season seemed like a long shot at best for Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy.
After suffering a lacerated kidney during a Monday night game in October at Denver, Ivy needed immediate medical attention that required the Ravens to make an emergency landing in Pittsburgh. Despite the devastating injury, Ivy completely recovered and missed only three weeks before reclaiming his spot on special teams and in nickel situations.
That grit and determination by the 5-foot-9, 188-pounder was noticed by his teammates, who selected Ivy as the Ravens recipient for this year?s 29th annual Ed Block Courage Award. Ivy was one of 32 NFL players to receive the award during a banquet Tuesday night at Martin?s West.
Ivy has never taken the easy road during his six years in the NFL since coming out of Oklahoma and signing as undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots. He bounced around from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the St. Louis Rams before signing with Baltimore last year.
“Corey is a pit bull, and he?s tougher than nails,” said Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who also coached him at Oklahoma. “There are very few people as tough as him. He?s an amazing guy, but that?s why he made it. He?s a tough little guy. He?s a survivor.”
Ivy said he was excited about being selected for this award, but also felt like there were plenty of other teammates who were worthy of the selection.
“Other guys on our team were deserving of the honor also,” Ivy said. “[Safety] Ed Reed coming off an ankle injury, and [linebacker] Ray Lewis coming off a hamstring tear were both deserving. So to be voted by your peers and your coaches, it?s a great honor to represent the Ravens the best way I know how.”
Ryan joined Ivy among the honorees Tuesday as Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America named him the NFL assistant coach of the year. Ryan said this award should not only be for him, but also for the rest of the defensive coaching staff.
ED BLOCK NOTES
» The annual banquet raises benefits for the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, which promotes efforts to assist abused and neglected children.
» Tuesday?s banquet also honored Maryland play-by-play commentator Johnny Holiday, who was enshrined into the Baltimore Sports Media Hall of Fame.
