The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that tackle Demar Dotson was selected by his teammates as the team's 2019 Ed Block Courage Award recipient.
Dotson, who is in his 11th NFL season – all with Tampa Bay – is one of 32 NFL players who will be honored at the 41st Annual Ed Block Courage Awards on March 28th in Baltimore.
Ed Block Courage Award recipients symbolize professionalism, great strength and dedication, in addition to being community role models. Each year, the Ed Block Courage Awards honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. This award is unique in that the recipients are selected solely by a vote of their teammates.
Now in his 11th season with Tampa Bay, Dotson is one of the longest-tenured players in franchise history, joining Mike Alstott (12 seasons), Rondé Barber (16), Derrick Brooks (14) Paul Gruber (12), John Lynch (11) and Dave Moore (13) as the only players in Buccaneers history to spend at least 11 seasons with the team. Through Week 15 of the 2019 season, Dotson has appeared in 128 games, with 104 starts, including starting each of the past 52 games he has appeared in. His 128 games played are the 11th-most in franchise history, while his 104 starts are tied for the 16th-most in team history.
Dotson has also been a vital member of the Tampa Bay community during his time with the Buccaneers. He has helped sponsor "Turkey Time with the O-Line," an annual Thanksgiving program led by the team's offensive line, which has provided more than 9,500 meals since its inception in 2007. Dotson also sponsors "Dotson's Do-Gooders," a community ticket program that provides a special gameday experience to children who would otherwise not have a chance to attend Buccaneers home games.
