- Joined
- Jan 6, 2014
- Messages
- 1,741
- Name
- B and G
RAMS ANNOUNCE 2014 TEAM AWARDS
ST. LOUIS – Five Rams players were honored on Monday as the club announced their 2014 team awards.
In a vote amongst Rams players, DE Robert Quinn received the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award, which goes to the team’s Most Valuable Player. TE Cory Harkey was named Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award winner and DT Aaron Donald was honored with the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award, which goes to the team’s top rookie.
P Johnny Hekker is the Rams’ recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in recognition of Hekker’s commitment to community service. C Scott Wells is this year’s winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given to a player who had to overcome some form of adversity.
The Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award was established in 1969 in honor of the former owner of the Rams, Dan Reeves, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. Reeves owned the Rams from 1941-71 and claimed World Championships in 1945 and 1951. He was the first to integrate football in the modern era with the signing of Woody Strode and Kenny Washington in 1946.
Quinn’s 2014 Reeves Award is his second-consecutive team MVP honor. Quinn took home the award after leading the Rams in sacks for a second straight season with 10.5. Last week, Quinn was named to his second-career Pro Bowl. In addition to reaching double digits in sacks for the third time in as many seasons, Quinn posted 14 tackles for loss, 37 quarterback pressures and 24 quarterback hits.
Established in 1990, the Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award is given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, ethic, and commitment to his teammates. Those traits were displayed by former Rams linebacker Carl Ekern, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1990. Ekern was a starter for the Rams from 1982-88 and earned an invitation to the Pro Bowl in 1986.
In his third NFL season, Harkey emerged as a leader both on and off the field. He started 12 games and appeared in all 16 despite battling injuries throughout the season. Harkey’s versatility and toughness were invaluable to the Rams as he lined up in multiple spots as a fullback and move tight end. He served as the lead blocker for an offense that rushed for 1,635 yards and 11 touchdowns. Harkey also added a touchdown catch and a reception on a two-point conversion.
Donald added the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award to a long list of honors. Donald led all NFL rookies with 9.0 sacks and finished second among all NFL defensive tackles in the category. He led the Rams with 17 tackles for loss and became the first Rams rookie defender since 1971 to make the Pro Bowl. Since the NFL made sacks an official statistic in 1982, only three times has a Rams defensive tackle posted more sacks than Donald’s 9.0.
Last June during the final week of Organized Team Activities, Wells began experiencing flu-like symptoms. When the aches and cold sweats lingered, he went to the hospital where doctors discovered Wells was suffering from a bacterial infection called ehrlichia. It’s believed he contracted the infection after being bitten by a tick. Wells spent four days in the intensive care unit at a St. Louis area hospital. His body temperature reached 104.5 degrees, and he lost nearly 20 pounds during his hospital stay.
Wells missed much of training camp as he worked to regain his strength and return to his playing weight. Through his diligent work in the weight room and training room, Wells was ready to go once the regular season arrived. He was in the starting lineup when the Rams opened their 2014 campaign against the Minnesota Vikings and started all 16 games this season.
This season, Hekker helped launch an initiative called, “Kick Cancer.” The punter is one of the three co-chairs of the campaign, with other Rams’ special teams aces kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide. With Kick Cancer, individuals may pledge donations based on the points kicked during the season, such as extra points and field goals.
In support of the initiative, Hekker teamed up with linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar for the RAM-oke event in September, in which Rams players and fans sang karaoke together.
In the past, Hekker has been heavily involved with Special Olympics Illinois, serving as the honorary chair for its Polar Plunge. The punter also serves as the Rams Fuel Up to PLAY 60 ambassador, helping the organization enhance the PLAY 60 experience for St. Louis area youth.
ST. LOUIS – Five Rams players were honored on Monday as the club announced their 2014 team awards.
In a vote amongst Rams players, DE Robert Quinn received the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award, which goes to the team’s Most Valuable Player. TE Cory Harkey was named Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award winner and DT Aaron Donald was honored with the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award, which goes to the team’s top rookie.
P Johnny Hekker is the Rams’ recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in recognition of Hekker’s commitment to community service. C Scott Wells is this year’s winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given to a player who had to overcome some form of adversity.
The Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award was established in 1969 in honor of the former owner of the Rams, Dan Reeves, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. Reeves owned the Rams from 1941-71 and claimed World Championships in 1945 and 1951. He was the first to integrate football in the modern era with the signing of Woody Strode and Kenny Washington in 1946.
Quinn’s 2014 Reeves Award is his second-consecutive team MVP honor. Quinn took home the award after leading the Rams in sacks for a second straight season with 10.5. Last week, Quinn was named to his second-career Pro Bowl. In addition to reaching double digits in sacks for the third time in as many seasons, Quinn posted 14 tackles for loss, 37 quarterback pressures and 24 quarterback hits.
Established in 1990, the Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award is given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, ethic, and commitment to his teammates. Those traits were displayed by former Rams linebacker Carl Ekern, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1990. Ekern was a starter for the Rams from 1982-88 and earned an invitation to the Pro Bowl in 1986.
In his third NFL season, Harkey emerged as a leader both on and off the field. He started 12 games and appeared in all 16 despite battling injuries throughout the season. Harkey’s versatility and toughness were invaluable to the Rams as he lined up in multiple spots as a fullback and move tight end. He served as the lead blocker for an offense that rushed for 1,635 yards and 11 touchdowns. Harkey also added a touchdown catch and a reception on a two-point conversion.
Donald added the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award to a long list of honors. Donald led all NFL rookies with 9.0 sacks and finished second among all NFL defensive tackles in the category. He led the Rams with 17 tackles for loss and became the first Rams rookie defender since 1971 to make the Pro Bowl. Since the NFL made sacks an official statistic in 1982, only three times has a Rams defensive tackle posted more sacks than Donald’s 9.0.
Last June during the final week of Organized Team Activities, Wells began experiencing flu-like symptoms. When the aches and cold sweats lingered, he went to the hospital where doctors discovered Wells was suffering from a bacterial infection called ehrlichia. It’s believed he contracted the infection after being bitten by a tick. Wells spent four days in the intensive care unit at a St. Louis area hospital. His body temperature reached 104.5 degrees, and he lost nearly 20 pounds during his hospital stay.
Wells missed much of training camp as he worked to regain his strength and return to his playing weight. Through his diligent work in the weight room and training room, Wells was ready to go once the regular season arrived. He was in the starting lineup when the Rams opened their 2014 campaign against the Minnesota Vikings and started all 16 games this season.
This season, Hekker helped launch an initiative called, “Kick Cancer.” The punter is one of the three co-chairs of the campaign, with other Rams’ special teams aces kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide. With Kick Cancer, individuals may pledge donations based on the points kicked during the season, such as extra points and field goals.
In support of the initiative, Hekker teamed up with linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar for the RAM-oke event in September, in which Rams players and fans sang karaoke together.
In the past, Hekker has been heavily involved with Special Olympics Illinois, serving as the honorary chair for its Polar Plunge. The punter also serves as the Rams Fuel Up to PLAY 60 ambassador, helping the organization enhance the PLAY 60 experience for St. Louis area youth.
