Stephon Tuitt the Pittsburgh Steelers recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award

Courage can be defined in a multitude of ways. For some, courage is standing for what is right, while others deem courage to be the ability to overcome a difficult situation.

The latter would certainly be the case for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt, who was the team’s 2020 Ed Block Courage Award recipient.

The award is voted on by the players and given to a player who has shown courage either coming back from an injury or a life-altering situation. In Tuitt’s case, it was his ability to not just come back from injury last season, but to return in a dominating fashion.

Tuitt set career marks in multiple statistical categories in 2020 after missing 10 games the previous season. For the first time in his career, Tuitt reached double-digits sacks as he recorded 11.0 in 15 games in 2020. His previous high was 6.5 in his second season in 2015. Tuitt also had double digit tackles for loss (TFL) in 2020 with 10 to go along with a career-high 25 QB Hits. Tuitt also forced two fumbles on the year, matching his total from the 2016 season.

Often criticized for dealing with injuries, the only game Tuitt missed in 2020 was the Steelers Week 12 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens due to being on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. His 15 games played is only behind his rookie season in which he appeared in all 16 games, and his 15 games started was another career high.

Congratulations to Tuitt for winning this prestigious award, and for his stellar 2020 season. Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC as the Steelers prepare for the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field in the Wild Card round of the AFC Playoffs this Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. ET.