Hardy Receives Ed Block Courage Award

It was a tough year for James Hardy. Being injured made him spend most of his season rehabbing and trying to get healthy for next season. Although he didn't get to make a contribution on the field he was still recognized for all of his effort during the season. The Buffalo Bills awarded him the Ed Block Courage Award. Link

"It was an honor, most definitely," Hardy told Buffalobills.com. "It made me feel pretty good."
The award, which is presented to a Bills player that exemplifies a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage, also recognizes dedication, professionalism and community service. For the third-year wide receiver the award carries special meaning because the Ed Block Courage Foundation serves to promote the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness and assisting agencies that provide care and treatment of abused children.

"Being through a lot of the hardships I had as a child, going to see children and talk to children that makes me release all that I have in me from my childhood," said Hardy. "That's why I'll always volunteer for that. I love doing it. It takes me back to a time when I was that age. They call us players an inspiration, but I get inspired when I see those kids to not give up and not quit.

"I wasn't in an abusive situation that some of them may have been in, but there was verbal abuse and not feeling loved like I'm sure some of them feel. I know exactly what they're going through."
Hardy just last week read to a group of young students as part of a celebration of author Dr. Seuss' birthday in the Buffalo area.
"I know what that feels like not having people reading to you and not teaching the do's and don'ts for when you're an adult," said Hardy. "I basically had to figure all of that out on my own. So if I'm making the slightest difference for any of those kids that gives me stability and a warmth inside."
What adds further significance to the award for Hardy are the names that have preceded him on the Bills honor roll of Ed Block Courage award recipients, which hangs in Buffalo's training room.
"When I was in the training room last year and I was working out I would see the Ed Block Courage Award plaque and at the time I didn't know who Ed Block was and no one ever told me about it," Hardy recalled.