There are only four games remaining in the regular season, but Arizona Cardinals safety Joey Blount is trying to achieve a first: being a three-time winner in one season of the Pat Tillman Scout Team Player of the Week award and being able to wear Tillman’s No. 40 in practice the following week.
Blount became a two-time winner for his work prior to last week’s game against the Seahawks and he also won the honor once last season.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon said this week, “First time (having a) double guy (this year). They take it to heart, man. They want that jersey.”
In 2023, guard Marquis Hayes Jr. and running back Corey Clement each won it twice.
“It’s an honor to win it for a second time this year,” Blount said. “Now the goal is to win it for a third time. Winning the Pat Tillman award is an honor, not alone just his hard work and what he represents but what the role means to our team. For me it’s finding value in the situation that I’m in and realizing that I’m not a highlighted, all-star player. But my role and value help those players be great can help make this time great.
“I’m blessed to be in the position I’m in and every week I let everyone know around me that I’m coming for 40 because it just shows me that the work I’m putting in every week is not only making myself better but those around me better and obviously the recognition goes a long way.”
While there is motivation to get that jersey, Blount emphasized it’s what you have to do to earn it that’s most important.
He said, “We’re all ball players, making sure to keep our bodies first and keeping the team above ourselves. Show what we can do as players that are not the ones on the field with the 11 on defense. An opportunity that I get personally and I can speak for anyone else who’s not playing the role they want to play is when you get out there the opportunities on Thursdays and Fridays; you go after the ball and play football for real. That’s the best days of the week because you’re getting game day during practice.”
Blount acknowledged that he knows when things are going his way.
“I can tell off the first couple plays,” he said. “I make a couple plays, usually a turnover, hitting a gap, beating a block or just helping with what the winning edge of the week is. Whenever you can help prioritize that winning edge and making sure the offense gets the right looks so when they get in the game, they’ve seen it already and know what’s coming.”
Still, the competition for the jersey is real.
“Everyone wants to win it,” Blount admitted. “I like to say I want to win it more than everyone else. It’s just a blessing. You just keep stacking days. That’s what I keep telling myself, ‘Keep stacking days and good days will come.’
“Trying to be the best that I can be, and if that means winning 40 every week, I’m gonna be the best person on this team to do that.”
2024 Pat Tillman Scout-Team Award Winners
Week 1: RB Michael Carter (practice squad)
Week 2: LB Markus Bailey (practice squad)
Week 3: WR Andre Baccellia (practice squad)
Week 4: OL Jon Gaines II
Week 5: WR Xavier Weaver
Week 6: DL P.J. Mustipher (practice squad)
Week 7: S Joey Blount
Week 8: WR Chris Moore (practice squad)
Week 9: OLB Ronnie Perkins (practice squad)
Week 10: QB Clayton Tune
Week 12: LB Milo Eifler (practice squad)
Week 13: CB Kei’Trel Clark
Week 14: S Joey Blount
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