Vick honored in Baltimore

BALTIMORE (AP) — A humbled but defiant Michael Vick was honored Tuesday night as one of 32 NFL players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award.

Outside the ceremony, dozens of protesters expressed dismay over his nomination.

The award is presented to players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Each NFL team selects its own recipient.

Vick was selected as the Philadelphia Eagles’ representative by a unanimous vote of his teammates. Once a star quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was convicted in 2007 for his role in a dogfighting ring and served 18 months in federal prison.

“I’m very humbled to be here,” Vick said. “I’m blessed to be voted by my peers, to be here, and this is an opportunity that I will take advantage of and cherish forever.”

It was the first award he received since being reinstated by the NFL in September 2009.

“It shows I’m making strides,” Vick said. “I’m trying to do the right thing.”

There were police cars at every driveway of the parking lot, and security inside the building was heavier than usual at the 32nd annual event.

Many of the protesters outside carried signs, one of which said, “No Award For Dog Killers.”

Erin Marcus, of Open The Cages Alliance, said, “I don’t think there has been enough time for him to show the proper remorse for what he’s done to animals.”

Many of the other 2009 Ed Block Award winners rebounded from serious injuries to excel in 2009, such as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae and Baltimore Ravens safety Dawan Landry.

Vick, of course, had to bounce back from something entirely different.

“I think I do exemplify what this award stands for,” Vick insisted. “I think everybody has the right to their own opinion. But I feel like I’ve done everything that I said I would do, coming out and moving forward. My peers felt like I was doing the right thing, and that I display courage and sportsmanship and leadership. I value their opinion.”

Vick did more than just show up to collect a piece of hardware. He spent hours Monday and Tuesday speaking to kids at a community center and at the Baltimore Ravens Courage House, which houses abused children.

“It’s easy to see, when you spend a couple of days with Michael Vick, why his Philadelphia Eagles teammates picked him as the Courage Award winner. It’s been that impressive,” Ed Block spokesman Paul Mittermeier said.

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