Allen Park, Mich. — Lions’ tackle 
In addition to the presentation of the award to Backus, the special guest speaker for the event will be ESPN’s Mike Tirico. Also, the Ricky Sandoval Award will be presented to former Lion Mike Utley.
Backus was the Lions’ first-round draft pick in 2001 after a standout career at the University of Michigan. The 6-5, 305-pound lineman has started at left tackle for Detroit from his first game as a rookie and has never missed a start since then. His string of 132 straight starts is the most by any offensive linemen in Lions’ history and ranks tops of any active offensive lineman in the NFL.
Backus had ironman status at the University of Michigan, as well. He started 49 straight games for the Wolverines, one game shy of current Lions’ teammate
To achieve the enviable string of consecutive starts Backus has played over several injuries in his nine-year NFL career. His list of injuries reads like a medical manual for a player that has had to spend more time in the training room than on the field. That could not be further from the truth for Backus.
Backus has had multiple high-ankle sprains that would have sidelined most players but not the veteran tackle. In each case the sprains required post-season surgeries. He has also played through elbow injuries that required arthroscopic surgeries, a knee injury that required a micro-fracture surgery, a stubborn plantar fascia injury of the foot, and torn rib muscles. All the injuries came during the season but never kept him off the field.
“Jeff takes great pride in being a true professional, who comes to work each day, practices and plays hard, and plays through injuries,” praised Lions’ coordinator of athletic medicine Dean Kleinschmidt. “Despite all of the significant injuries that he has had over the years, it is almost impossible to talk Jeff into missing even a practice, let alone a game. In my 36 seasons as an NFL athletic trainer I have reserved this description to a select few players but Jeff Backus is a true gladiator. I have the deepest respect for him.”
The national Ed Block Courage Award Dinner to honor Backus and 31 other NFL recipients will be held early next year in Baltimore. The award is named in honor of the late Ed Block, former trainer for the Baltimore Colts, who devoted much of his time and money helping abused children.
Previous Lions’ Block Award Recipients have been: LB Ken Fantetti (1984), G/T Keith Dorney (1985), C Steve Mott (1986), CB Duane Galloway (1987), WR Carl Bland (1988), LB Jimmy Williams (1989), CB Bruce McNorton (1990), G Mike Utley (1991), G Ken Dallafior (1992) and C Kevin Glover (1993), LB Victor Jones (1994), WR Aubrey Matthews (1995), S Bennie Blades (1996), T Ray Roberts (1997), LB George Jamison (1998), DL Dan Owens (1999), DT James Jones (2000), QB Charlie Batch (2001), FB Cory Schlesinger (2002), DE Robert Porcher (2003), DE
Tickets are still available for the Lions’ Courage House Dinner. For ticket information or to make reservations call 313-216-4171. Individual tickets are $150.
