Alumni Focus: Marcus Easley – Buffalo Bills’ Ed Block Courage Award winner

UConn Sport Management Alumnus Marcus Easley (Class of 2008) has seen his share of adversity on the road toward a career as a professional football player for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. But every time a roadblock has been put up, Marcus has remained focused, risen above, persevered, and in doing so, inspired countless others through his conduct both on and off the field.

Marcus has never taken anything for granted. Nor was he ever simply handed success. All of his achievements have been a result of hard work, patience and diligence. And on March 16, 2015, Marcus was honored for these qualities by his fellow teammates by being selected as the Buffalo Bills’ Ed Block Courage Award winner – a special award for NFL players who exemplify “a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage” and “symbolize professionalism, great strength, dedication and serve as a community role model for others.” (Click here for more information on the Ed Block Courage Award.)

The awards gala honored Marcus and 31 other NFL team representatives who were chosen by their peers for displaying courage both on and off the playing field. As highlighted on Buffalo Bills’ press release, “the award is named for Ed Block, the former Head Athletic Trainer of the Baltimore Colts from 1954 through 1977 and continued to serve the team until his death in 1983. Block, a WWII veteran, cared for his player’s physical health as well as for the well being of countless children. The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation promotes the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness of the epidemic and assisting agencies who provide for the care and treatment of abused children in communities throughout the National Football League (NFL).”

Marcus has on multiple occasions recovered from injuries, health issues and setbacks to become a highly respected member of the Bills special teams unit, facing down the NFL’s best defenders on a weekly basis. Off the field, he has been an inspiration to local Connecticut youth football players through hosting the annual E.A.S.Y. (Excellence, Achievement, Striving, Youthful) Summer Camp, giving back to the community from which he came.

UConn and the Sport Management Department are proud to count Marcus among its distinguished alumni, and thank him for being an inspiration to us all.

For more details on Marcus’ story, please see the Buffalo Bills’ article “Marcus Easley’s career anything but easy“.