Jacksonville Jaguars
2023 Courage Award Winner
- Position DE
- Height 6-3
- Weight 275 lbs
- NFL Exp. 7 yrs
Dawuane Smoot finished his seventh season with the Jaguars after being drafted in the third round (68th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. In Week 16 of the 2022 season, Smoot suffered a season-ending torn Achillies injury against the New York Jets (Dec. 22, 2022). After being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list during training camp and beginning the 2023 season on injured reserve, Smoot finally made his season debut in Week 6 against the Colts (Oct. 15, 2023). When asked about his recovery process prior to his season debut he stated, “I’m just really excited to get back out with the guys. With the support of my family and everything, the mental thing has been easy, luckily, but the physical thing has been ups and downs, just trying to get back into it. Some days are good, some days are bad, but this last month and a half, they were really good.” Throughout 2023, Smoot has been an encouraging leader both in the locker room and in the Duval community. His passion for bettering youth education in the north Florida area led him to be named the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. He has inspired teammates with both his determination to get back on the field and passion for helping others.
Dawuane Smoot
2023 Ed Block Courage Award Winner
Dawuane Smoot finished his seventh season with the Jaguars after being drafted in the third round (68th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. In Week 16 of the 2022 season, Smoot suffered a season-ending torn Achillies injury against the New York Jets (Dec. 22, 2022). After being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list during training camp and beginning the 2023 season on injured reserve, Smoot finally made his season debut in Week 6 against the Colts (Oct. 15, 2023). When asked about his recovery process prior to his season debut he stated, “I’m just really excited to get back out with the guys. With the support of my family and everything, the mental thing has been easy, luckily, but the physical thing has been ups and downs, just trying to get back into it. Some days are good, some days are bad, but this last month and a half, they were really good.” Throughout 2023, Smoot has been an encouraging leader both in the locker room and in the Duval community. His passion for bettering youth education in the north Florida area led him to be named the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. He has inspired teammates with both his determination to get back on the field and passion for helping others.
| Position | DE |
|---|---|
| Height | 6-3 |
| Weight | 275 lbs |
| College | Illinois |
| NFL Experience | 7 years |
Past Winners
- 2022 - Travis Etienne
- 2021 - Tre Herndon
- 2020 - James O’Shaughnessy
- 2019 - Cam Robinson
- 2018 - Tommy Bohanon
- 2017 - Aaron Colvin
- 2016 - Sen’Derrick Marks
- 2014 - Roy Miller
- 2013 - Will Rackley
- 2012 - John Chick
- 2011 - Jarrett Dillard
- 2010 - Aaron Kampman
- 2009 - Richard Collier
- 2008 - Brad Meester
- 2007 - Greg Jones
- 2006 - Jorge Cordova
- 2005 - Paul Spicer
- 2004 - David Garrard
- 2003 - Tony Brackens
- 2002 - Fred Taylor
- 2001 - Jimmy Smith
- 2000 - Tony Boselli
- 1999 - James Stewart
- 1998 - Mark Brunell
- 1997 - Dave Thomas
- 1996 - Derek Brown
- 1995 - Paul Frase
Supporting the National Courage House Network
The Jacksonville Jaguars are proud to support Neighbor to Family, Inc., a member of the National Courage House Network.
