ARLINGTON, Texas- The Dallas Cowboys held the 2019 Kickoff Luncheon benefiting the team’s Courage House-Happy Hill Farm, on the eve of the preseason finale vs. Tampa Bay.
Happy Hill Farm is a boarding and day school on the outskirts of Granbury. Boys and girls ages 5-18 live and attend schooling at the campus. The Courage House is a partnership among the NFL Alumni, National Players Association, Professional Football Trainers Society, NFL Charities, and NFL Courage House that is committed to making a difference in the lives of young adults.
During the ceremony, several Cowboys were recognized for their achievements on-and-off the field during the 2018 season. The recipients were:
Zack Martin- Ed Block Courage Award
Martin fought through an elbow injury and nagging knee injury in 2018 to solidify an offensive line that opened holes for Zeke at the line of scrimmage, evidenced by his rushing title. In addition, Martin was named to his fifth pro bowl and was not flagged for a single holding penalty during the season.
L.P. Ladouceur- Special Teams Most Valuable Player
Ladouceur is the oldest player on the Cowboys’ roster at 38-years-old. He has been a consistent long snapper for the franchise since his arrival in Dallas (2005). He has played in every single game since-221 straight games. Ladouceur has made clean snaps on all 2,009 tries.
Ezekiel Elliott- Offensive Most Valuable Player
Elliott made his second-career pro bowl after concluding the 2018 season as the rushing champion with 1,434 yards, and second in total scrimmage yards with 2,001. He ranked second in the NFL in total first downs (95-73 rushing, 22 receiving). He also led the team in receptions with 77, the most by a Cowboys’ running back in franchise history.
The star rusher has been MIA since the beginning of Training Camp but Jerry Jones remarked today “one is missing but he will be on the field.”
Byron Jones- Defensive Most Valuable Player
His first year at corner in the league, Jones locked down opposing receivers in 2018, allowing a catch on only 53% of targets against him. He allowed a quarterback rating of only 85.5 on passes against him and led Dallas’ defense in pass breakups with 15. He earned his first pro bowl appearance following the season.
Gil Brandt- Tom Landry Legend Award
Longtime Cowboys’ Vice President of Player Personnel (1959-1989) revolutionized the role of scouting and player evaluation. Brandt was responsible for bringing 53 players to Dallas who were selected to a combined number of 178 pro bowl appearances among them. 15 players acquired under his leadership are now beside him in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. He was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The word chosen by Jason Garrett to represent the Cowboys this season is driven. The names listed above have embodied the term and are role models for the young kids of Happy Hill Farm. The children were exposed to multiple stories of dedication and now have the opportunity to create/pursue dreams and goals in their individual lives. Dreams can come true after all and the men on the stage are living proof to the students of happy Hill Farm.
