The New Orleans Saints announced Thursday that wide receiver Marques Colston has been voted by his teammates as the 2013 recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.

The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of neglected children and ending the cycle of abuse. The purpose is to raise awareness and prevention of child abuse. That objective is coupled with the foundation's commitment to celebrating players of inspiration in the NFL.

The foundation, through its charter with the Courage House National Support Network for Kids, and an affiliation with the National Football League and Professional Football Athletics Trainers Society, has helped to provide hope to countless children and raised millions of dollars.

The honor is voted on by teammates and bestowed annually upon the player who best exemplifies the principles of courage and sportsmanship while also serving as a source of inspiration.

Colston, 6 feet 4, 225 pounds, is in his eighth season with the Saints and is the club's all-time leader in virtually every receiving category, posting career totals of 607 receptions for 8,337 yards (13.7 avg.) with 63 touchdowns.

In 2013, Colston played in 15 regular-season games, making 12 starts, and finished with 75 receptions for 943 yards and five touchdowns. He led New Orleans wideouts in catches, receiving yardage and tied for the receiver lead in touchdowns.

 "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 Head Athletic Trainer Scottie B. Patton said. "The award is a testament to overcoming adversity, whether it is through setbacks on the field or through challenges they have overcome in their personal lives. No matter what injuries he has fought through, Marques has done whatever it takes throughout the week to be there for his teammates and the team on gameday and excel."

"It's an honor to be recognized by my teammates for the Ed Block Courage Award," Colston said. "It shows that they have seen everything that I do to be available for them on gameday. I also appreciate all that our athletic training staff has done for me throughout my career here to keep me on the field as much as possible whether it is in rehabilitation or preventative measures."

Colston will be honored, along with recipients of the other 31 NFL teams, at the 36th annual Ed Block Courage Awards in Baltimore later this year.

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