New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower has been named as the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner, as voted on by his teammates.

The Ed Block Courage award is given each year to one member of each NFL team, as voted on by the team’s players. The award goes to a player they feel has persevered through tremendous adversity with courage, and as a result, inspires.

Considering Hightower's NFL journey, his selection was an easy choice.

"In all my years coaching, I don't know that I've been a part of a team with a more worthy Ed Block candidate than Tim Hightower," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He's the perfect candidate."

Hightower's NFL career looked over after 3 seasons.

After spending two seasons with Arizona (2009, 2010), Hightower joined the Redskins backfield but suffered a torn ACL.

The knee injury set Hightower back, and teams weren't calling him for a tryout until he joined Saints training camp in 2015 after spending the 3 previous seasons out of football.

Hightower battled his way on the roster in 2015 after injuries opened the door for a comeback, and has steadily been a productive back in New Orleans this season, rushing for 490 yards and 3 touchdowns this season, including a 102 yard performance in a victory over the Seahawks.

 

 

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