Recipients of this year’s Ed Block Courage Award were announced last week, and Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick’s name is on the list. The man convicted of running a dog fighting ring just a few short years ago is now seen by the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization and fans as someone who has earned a second chance.

The Ed Block Courage Award is given to players who earn the respect of their teammates as they deal with adversity. This is what the Eagles feel Michael Vick accomplished this season and the foundation stands by the Eagles decision. A unanimous vote by the Eagles’ players to nominate Vick for this award proves that his peers think he deserved it-  plain and simple, right?

Well not everyone is happy about this…. Change dot org is trying to get 1,500 names on a petition to get the Awards Foundation to reconsider the decision and strip Vick of the award. Animal activists criticized the Eagles for choosing a player who has served a prison sentence in connection with a dog-fighting operation marked by the killing and torturing of animals.

The award, named after a longtime Baltimore Colts trainer and humanitarian, seeks to honor players who “exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.” Even though a board member of the Baltimore-based charity on Monday voiced surprise over the Eagles’ selection, and said members would meet that night to discuss the matter, it appears that there was no attempt to remove Vick from the list.

During the official award announcement, foundation spokesman Paul Mittermeier read a prepared statement regarding Vick:

“Since its inception, the Ed Block Courage Award has been presented to NFL players that were selected solely but their teammates, The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation cherishes its relationship with the NFL and each NFL team. … Michael Vick is just one of 32 NFL players that will receive an Ed Block Courage Award for 2009…”

He added that the board did not ask the Eagles to rescind their selection and that Monday’s meeting did not pertain specifically to Vick but was a regularly scheduled gathering. He said he did not attend the meeting and didn’t know whether the Vick matter was discussed.

Michael Vick is expected to attend the award ceremony March 9, 2010 along with the 31 other players who will be receiving this award.

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