Raiders News: Gabe Jackson Receives 2020 Ed Block Courage Award
Gabe Jackson
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas Raiders guard Gabe Jackson has been named as the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award for the 2020 NFL season.

This award honors a player from each team that best exemplifies and commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. They are also recognized for their efforts off the field and to overcome great adversity.

Jackson arrived as a third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State and it was not long before his versatility along the interior was out on full display. He has since served as a stabilizing factor up front for an otherwise injury-plagued group.

Jackson and center Rodney Hudson were the only two starting offensive linemen that managed to play in all 16 games for the Raiders this season. This helped pave the way for both quarterback Derek Carr and running back Josh Jacobs to enjoy a solid year from a statistical standpoint.

The award was named in honor of the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts who was well-known as a respected humanitarian. Jackson’s efforts both on and off the field during an unprecedented year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were more than enough to make him deserving as the team’s representative.

Jackson’s status as a cornerstone of this offense has helped this offense make some significant strides in recent years. Although most of the attention will be fixated on the defense, this group will once again be expected to kick things up a notch.

Jackson gave his fellow guard Denzelle Good a major endorsement by suggesting that the team give him a big payday this offseason. It is safe to say that his praise carries plenty of weight considering the impact he has had through the years.