In two weeks, New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower will have played his first full season of professional football since before he suffered a serious knee injury in 2011.
In the spring, he will be rewarded for his perseverance.
The Saints on Wednesday announced Hightower as the team recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award for 2016. He and the award recipients from the 31 other teams will be honored at a ceremony in Baltimore, Md., in the spring.
"The Ed Block Courage Award is one of the most prestigious awards an NFL player receives because it is voted on by his fellow teammates," Saints athletic trainer Scottie B.