Former Calgary Stampeders linebacker Alex Singleton has been awarded the Ed Block Courage Award after overcoming testicular cancer last season, according to a report from Adam Schefter.
The Ed Block Courage Award has been awarded to one player on every NFL team since 1984, recognizing their professionalism, strength, dedication, and community involvement. Winners are selected by their teammates and will be honoured at a ceremony this weekend.
Other notable honourees this season include Canadian offensive lineman Alaric Jackson of the Los Angeles Rams, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions, and New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai, brother of current B.C. Lions defensive tackle Jonah Tavai.
Singleton underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in November after a regular NFL drug test flagged unusual hormone levels. The 32-year-old played a game for the Denver Broncos with the knowledge of his illness, then missed just one game before returning to the lineup after the operation.
In total, Singleton played 16 games during the 2025 regular season, registering 135 total defensive tackles, 54 solo, four passes defended, one sack and one forced fumble. He was a key piece in Denver’s postseason run, forcing a key fumble to propel the team to the AFC Championship game.
The Thousand Oaks, Cal., native, who qualified for Canadian citizenship through his mother, played three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders after he was selected sixth overall during the 2016 CFL Draft. He recorded 123 tackles over his final two years and earned two CFL all-star selections along with a Most Outstanding Defensive Player award. Singleton hoisted the Grey Cup in 2018 with the Stamps before taking advantage of his renewed NFL opportunity.
The six-foot-two, 240-pound linebacker has now spent eight seasons south of the border with the Philadelphia Eagles and Broncos. He’s notched 768 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, 17 pass knockdowns, five sacks, five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, in 95 regular-season games.
Singleton is a pending NFL free agent with his current contract set to expire on March 11. He has earned $20.6 million USD in his career.
