UNC Football: Williams named Ed Block Courage Award winner

The former UNC football star running back has been selected by his teammates as the Broncos’ Ed Block Courage Award winner for the 2023 season.

As UNC football fans can recall, Javonte Williams’ 2022 season was cut short due to a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee.

Although his second year in the NFL ended abruptly, Williams put in the work during his rehab process. Through his hard work and dedication, the former Tar Heel was able to return for the season opener, even though he was expected to miss the start of the 2023 season.

In recognition of his approach and dedication to his rehab process, Williams’ Denver Broncos teammates have named him the team’s 2023 Ed Block Courage Award winner.

In its 46th year, the Ed Block Courage Award is presented to players who possess exceptional courage, great character, and inspiring effort. Named in honor of Block, the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts, this award is a special one, given that it is selected by the players on each NFL roster and is presented to some of the most outstanding representatives that the sport has to offer.

Not only has Williams returned to the field, but has been a very productive member of the Broncos offense. In 11 games (10 starts), the former Tar Heels star has 739 total scrimmage yards, with the bulk of those yards coming on the ground (584 rushing yards). He has also regained his explosiveness, as he currently has 16 rushing attempts that have gone 10 or more yards.

Fans of the UNC football program know what type of player and person Javonte Williams is, as his story of how he used his serious injury to motivate and inspire others is one that perfectly describes the guy we all got to know during his time in Chapel Hill.

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