Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

David Quessenberry voted Ed Block Courage winner

Playoffs

Playoffs

Hall of Fame
David Quessenberry voted Ed Block Courage winner
The Houston Texans have selected G David Quessenberry as the 2014 Ed Block Courage Award winner. Recipients are selected by a vote of their teammates to recognize extra efforts both on and off the field and their ability to overcome great adversity.

Quessenberry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma on June 10, 2014 and is currently undergoing treatments. Quessenberry is commonly seen around the Texans facilities attending meetings and continuing to learn the playbook, and has been an inspiration for his teammates.

“I know it’s a tremendous award and a tremendous honor to be able to get, and I’m sure obviously DQ would be the first one to tell you that he’s super appreciative of it,” Myers said. “It was obviously a no-brainer for the whole team to just go ahead and give David that. For what he’s going through right now, it’s something that’s beyond what any of us could imagine right now. He’s grinding through it and he’s working through it and he’s doing his best.”

The Houston Texans, led by Quessenberry’s fellow offensive linemen Chris Myers and Duane Brown, set a goal of raising $100,000 for the Lymphoma Research Foundation with the sale of Texans for DQ t-shirts. It was announced at the Indianapolis game on Oct. 9 that the goal had been reached. Quessenberry, who served as an honorary captain at the game, was on the field to present the check and spoke to the media about the importance of raising awareness for lymphoma, a disease the affects more than 700,000 people in America.

The Ed Block Courage Award honors NFL players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Quessenberry... will be recognized at the 37th annual Ed Block Courage Awards on March 16, 2015 in Baltimore, Md.

Since 1984, the Ed Block Courage Award annually honors one player from every NFL team who exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. The Ed Block Courage Award has become one of the most prestigious awards a player can receive because no other national football award is chosen solely by a vote of his peers. Winners travel to Baltimore to receive their trophy at a gala in their honor and to visit the Ed Block Courage House. The Courage House is a facility that provides support and quality care for abused children and their families in the community. Block was the longtime head athletic trainer for the old Baltimore Colts, who in addition to being a pioneer in athletic training, was passionate about causes helping children.

Houston's Ed Block Courage Award winners:
2014 OG David Quessenberry
2013 ILB Brian Cushing
2012 QB Matt Schaub
2011 ILB DeMeco Ryans
2010 TE Joel Dreessen
2009 LB Zac Diles
2008 WR Harry Williams
2007 DE Anthony Weaver
2006 LB Kailee Wong
2005 WR Jabar Gaffney
2004 DT Seth Payne
2003 CB Aaron Glenn
2002 CB Jason Bell
Click to expand...
 
Great news for Q
Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry missed the entire 2014 season after being diagnosed with lymphoma and he shared some good news about his battle against the disease on Wednesday.

Quessenberry was part of a team outing to Texas Children’s Hospital and gave an update about his condition.

“I finished radiation two weeks ago. I’m officially in remission. I love saying that,” Quessenberry said, via David Nuno of ABC13.

And we love hearing it.

Quessenberry, a sixth-round pick in 2013, said he’s now moved on to the “maintenance” phase of his treatment, but gave no indication of what that might mean for his return to the field. For now, that’s secondary to the great news about his health and we hope that there continues to be nothing but positive updates on that front for a young man with a lot of life ahead of him inside and outside the game.
Click to expand...

Fantastic news!! I hope he can make it back to the team!
 
David Quessenberry can't wait to get back to Texans, says he's feeling great
By Aaron Wilson
May 3, 2016 Updated: May 3, 2016 12:13pm


David Quessenberry endured months of intensive chemotherapy treatment and radiation therapy for non-Hodgkins lymphoma that sapped him of his strength and caused him to lose weight.

The Texans offensive guard dealt with the uncertainty of his football future while spending the past two seasons on the non-football illness list, receiving the good news last year from his oncologist that his cancer was in remission.

Now, Quessenberry is enjoying his health and the return of the bulk and power required of an NFL offensive lineman. He no longer requires radiation treatments, but does undergo chemotherapy once a month as part of a 30-month maintenance.

"I feel excellent," said Quessenberry, who received medical treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and in San Diego. "I can't wait. I feel strong. I feel fast. I feel explosive. It's the best I've felt in a long time. I can't wait to get out there. It will be a good year."

Quessenberry experienced a persistent cough and shortness of breath during a minicamp two years ago and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins T lymphoblastic lymphoma at age 23. Doctors discovered a mass in his lungs. Enough fluid had built up that it could have been fatal if they hadn't taken action quickly.

"I'm very happy about how everything is going," said Quessenberry, who is looking forward to resuming his NFL career. "I feel great."

A former sixth-round draft pick from San Jose State who earned a scholarship, started 38 games and was a team captain and all-conference blocker after enrolling as a 235-pound walk-on tight end from Encinitas, Calif., Quessenberry was sidelined his rookie season with a foot injury and spent the year on injured reserve.

Quessenberry inspired his teammates and coaches with his determination and grit to beat cancer. There was a Team DQ campaign and a $100,000 donation for lymphoma research.

"This is a tough guy," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said last year. "This is a guy that went out there and practiced three or four times with cancer. Before he was diagnosed, he was fighting through what he thought was probably some type of flu, cold or something."

A former Senior Bowl all-star game participant, Quessenberry ran the 40-yard dash in 5.08 seconds and bench pressed 225 pounds at the NFL scouting combine three years ago. Listed on the roster at 6-5, 306 pounds, Quessenberry has worked diligently to regain his size and strength. He says he's close to his old playing weight.

"I'm a little bit shy of what I was playing at before, but I'm at the weight I want to be at right now," Quessenberry said. "I feel like this is the right weight for me. I feel fast and explosive. My conditioning is good at this weight. I'm going to stay around here. Once we get on the field and see how things go, we'll see, but this is a good weight for me. I can't wait to get out there. I look forward to it."

Quessenberry will be rejoined by an old San Jose State teammate when the Texans have their organized team activities later this month. The Texans drafted San Jose State all-purpose running back Tyler Ervin in the fourth round.

"He came in and he was skinny, but he was always real fast and you could tell this kid was going to be special," Quessenberry said. "I used to call him 'The Future' at San Jose. After I left, he was one of the guys I kept pretty close tabs on. He was a stud for that team.

"I got to watch him grow, and I'm excited to watch him grow as a rookie in the NFL and becoming an even better football player. I'm even more excited about having Tyler as a teammate and being able to play with him again."
Click to expand...
 
So Quess is likely back to compete for a roster spot on the Texans this year ? If true that's great news !
 
Fascinated by how this plays out.

Hope he works out great for his sake and the teams.

I'm expecting him to not make the roster to be honest.
 
He held up pretty well in his rookie preseason, but there was one particular play that still stands out in my head where he stoned one defender and then swiveled pack to take out a blitzer as well, while the QB made a pass downfield. It really was a thing of beauty and it was the play that sold me on him becoming a plus quality NFL player at some point. Then his diagnosis stopped all that short. I am rooting for the guy, not just because it's cancer and he's a great story, but also because he legitimately showed something once. I hope he can get back on the field and resume his development.
 
I wish Q the best. Besides the question if he can actually come back in full football shape and having been out of football for 2 years, my concern is his ongoing treatment.....a concern I've posted previously. He was first placed on his "maintenance" monthly chemotherapy sessions in Aug 2014. His maintenance period as I suspected would be between 2-3 years......a typical period for his stage of disease. The article specifically has him state that his scheduled maintenance period has been set at 30 months. This would put his therapy as not ending until Feb 2017. During this period, his strength and endurance is likely to be affected, not to mention an increased risk of infections ranging from respiratory (especially in concentrated communal heavily populated enclosed environments such as weight rooms and locker rooms where spread of any infections is significantly increased) to cuts and scratches on the field which would typically be benign for most players. He has some obstacles to overcome to get back on the field. And still potential additional risks to stay on the field. He has admirably come a long way to be where he is now. Miracles do happen. And if anyone deserve one, it's Q.:texflag:
 
I don't think it's as far-fetched as some of y'all are making it out to be considering our lack of depth along the oline.

DB
X
Martin
Allen
Newt

Clark maybe, be the rest are/have been JAGS. If his strength and weight are back I expect him to win a spot over a gaggle of UDFAs
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I wish Q the best. Besides the question if he can actually come back in full football shape and having been out of football for 2 years, my concern is his ongoing treatment.....a concern I've posted previously. He was first placed on his "maintenance" monthly chemotherapy sessions in Aug 2014. His maintenance period as I suspected would be between 2-3 years......a typical period for his stage of disease. The article specifically has him state that his scheduled maintenance period has been set at 30 months. This would put his therapy as not ending until Feb 2017. During this period, his strength and endurance is likely to be affected, not to mention an increased risk of infections ranging from respiratory (especially in concentrated communal heavily populated enclosed environments such as weight rooms and locker rooms where spread of any infections is significantly increased) to cuts and scratches on the field which would typically be benign for most players. He has some obstacles to overcome to get back on the field. And still potential additional risks to stay on the field. He has admirably come a long way to be where he is now. Miracles do happen. And if anyone deserve one, it's Q.:texflag:
Click to expand...

Although there is always the chance that the Texans may try to have him play this year, as I would have suspected.:

Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL 12m12 minutes ago


Texans' pending release of David Quessenberry once he clears waivers will then likely go on non-football injury list
Click to expand...

Even if he does get cleared to play at some point, besides all the above concerns, being out of football for so long must be a strong independent factor working against him.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I take that this could mean he may be given a non-playing position in the Texans organization.........a move that I believe would afford Q's best option for his future.
Click to expand...
I wish the medical staff would be as cautious with other injuries as they are being with Q. The Texans might have a healthy Arian Foster and Khalil Mack instead of Clowney on the roster.
 
Texans waive David Quessenberry a year after cancer remission
10:35 AM CT
  • Tania GanguliESPN Staff Writer

HOUSTON -- A year after entering remission from cancer and three years after the Texans drafted him, David Quessenberry was hoping to be on his way to finally playing an NFL down.

That won't happen -- at least not with the Texans this season. But the organization does want him back.

The Texans waived the offensive tackle Tuesday with a non-football injury designation. He won't play for the Texans this year, but if he clears waivers, it's possible he could return to the roster on the Texans' non-football injury/illness list. He could also return in some other capacity.

The Texans have media availability after Tuesday's organized team activities, so Quessenberry's future with the organization might be addressed at that time.

In June of 2014, Quessenberry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin T-lymphoblastic lymphoma after a Texans athletic trainer found his persistent cough suspicious. While his teammates prepared for the season, Quessenberry battled for his life, going through intense chemotherapy.
By February, he had gone into remission, but he still had to undergo a maintenance protocol that involved chemotherapy pills to keep the illness at bay. He hoped to return to the field last season, but ultimately the Texans decided he couldn't. In an emotional scene shown on HBO's "Hard Knocks," coach Bill O'Brien told Quessenberry he was going to be placed on the non-football illness/injury list.

Now more than a full year removed from the most intense part of his treatment, Quessenberry was optimistic. He'd gained back most of the weight he lost during his treatment. He was still taking medications as part of a maintenance plan, but he was back to working out and practicing with the team.

Since being drafted out of San Jose State in 2013, Quessenberry has had a string of bad luck. A foot injury his rookie year led to him going on injured reserve that season. The cancer diagnosis came just as he began his comeback from that injury.

Unless another team claims him, this could be the end of the road for Quessenberry as a player.
Click to expand...
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I take that this could mean he may be given a non-playing position in the Texans organization.........a move that I believe would afford Q's best option for his future.
Click to expand...
Not unexpected but as I posted on another thread he should be vested in pension after three seasons. The following is from an article concerning Atlanta Falcons player and written by Adam Van Brimmer of the Savannah Morning News. I have not attempted to verify with CBA:

Players get credited for a full season after being on the active roster (or on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list) in three games.

The NFL's Post-Career Financial Plan

The NFL Players Association retirement plan package includes four plans:

1. Severance Pay Plan: A player with two credited NFL seasons (on the active roster, injured reserved or physically unable to perform list for three games in each of two seasons), receives $10,000 for every year played between 1993 and 1999 and $12,500 for every year from 2000 on.

2. Player Annuity Program: A player with four credited NFL seasons receives an annuity valued at $65,000 at age 35 or five years after his last credited season, whichever is later.

3. Second-Career Savings Plan or 401(K): A player with two credited seasons will receive a $2 match for every $1 contributed to the plan up to a maximum club contribution of $20,000 per year.

4. Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Retirement Plan (pension): A player with at least three credited seasons earns a benefit credit for every season he plays. The benefit credits add up to monthly pension checks that player receive starting at age 55.

** Of note: The NFL pension plan has been widely criticized, especially when viewed in comparison to pension plans in other pro sports leagues. For example, the a 10-year NFL veteran who retired in 1998 would receive $51,000 a year beginning at age 55. A retired Major League Baseball player with 10 years experience, by comparison, would be eligible for an $175,000 annual pension starting at age 62.
Click to expand...
http://savannahnow.com/adam-van-brimmer/2006-09-29/qualifying-nfl-pension-big-deal-players

Perhaps the non playing job if offered would provide medical coverage.
 
Well, I'm sorry to hear that he won't be competing for a spot on the roster this season. I know he must be disappointed. CND, does this mean he will probably never get to play or will he be able to get a shot next season with the Texans, or somebody else? Just wondering also, why DQ's treatment seems to be taking longer when Eric Berry from KC had cancer (Hodgkin's lymphoma) and was back on the field in about a years time after his chemo. I know treatments are different depending on what you have and what stage you're in but did DQ have a relapse or something?
 
Last edited:
Insideop said:
Well, I'm sorry to hear that he won't be competing for a spot on the roster this season. I know he must be disappointed. CND, does this mean he will probably never get to play or will he be able to get a shot next season with the Texans, or somebody else? Just wondering also, why DQ's treatment seems to be taking longer when Eric Berry from KC had cancer (Hodgkin's lymphoma) and was back on the field in about a years time after his chemo. I know treatments are different depending on what you have and what stage you're in but did DQ have a relapse or something?
Click to expand...
Non-Hodgkin T lymphoblastic lymphoma, which Q was diagnosed with is a much different animal than Hodgkins lymmphoma which Berry was diagnosed with. The former is a much more aggressive malignancy with much higher recurrence risk and a poorer prognosis at all stages. Approximately 90% of early stage Hodgkins lymphoma, at which Berry's was caught, survive 5 years, while Q's malignancy was caught in very late stage, stage IV and carries with it close to half that percent survival. Approach to these types of cancers and their stages are much different............and therefore, Q's treatment was layed out much more aggressively.
 
Texans continue to have David Quessenberry's back
By Brian T. Smith

May 31, 2016 Updated: May 31, 2016 9:57pm

It is rare that I am given an opportunity to flat-out praise the Texans.

But when it comes to the franchise's public handling and continued backing of offensive tackle David Quessenberry, who has never played a game for the team, Bob McNair's organization receives an A-plus.

Tuesday technically began with sad news for the No. 176 overall pick of the 2013 NFL draft. The Texans released Quessenberry, 25, with a non-football illness designation and placed him on the non-football illness list.

Everyday translation: Quiz, as his friends and teammates affectionately know him, is still recovering from the effects of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and wasn't going to make the Texans' 53-man roster for Week 1.

"It is our hope that … he can continue to be a part of our organization and continue his recovery and fulfill his goal of playing again. That's important for everyone to understand," coach Bill O'Brien said at NRG Stadium, opening his OTA news conference by discussing the decision to cut Quessenberry.

"We just felt like there may be a point during the fall, during (training) camp, where he was burning the candle on both ends," O'Brien said. "We want him to fully attack and beat cancer, which he will do. Then get him back on the 90-man roster at some point in 2017."

O'Brien has never been able to pump up, dress down or even backslap Quessenberry during a Texans game. But for the start of the third consecutive season - Quiz's life was saved on the field by trainer Geoff Kaplan during the start of O'Brien's tenure - the fiery coach stood behind a podium and went out of his way to back the team's best-known O-line member not named Duane Brown.

"I don't know if there has ever been somebody that's been out for four years. But if anybody can do it, it's David Quessenberry," said O'Brien, sounding more like a father, brother or close friend than a distant coach. "This guy is a driven guy. He has a passion for football. This guy has never missed a day other than when he's had to go over and have treatments over at the cancer center."

Door always open

O'Brien has been the main voice at Kirby Drive attached to the Texans' ongoing support of Team DQ, which previously raised $100,000 for lymphoma research in a team-driven campaign. But this has been a top-down effort that begins with McNair, runs across the desk of general manager Rick Smith and touches everyone from the team's public relations staff to anonymous NRG Stadium employees.

The NFL is famous for its cutthroat culture, non-guaranteed contracts and off-the-street pride. One week you're something. The next day you're nothing. The follow-up phone call could come a season later, when "next man up" suddenly defines your life and the most precious thing in the world is an open roster spot in a world defined by one number: 53.

In the best interest of their football team, the Texans have had every right to cut Quessenberry the last three seasons. But McNair's organization always has handled the decision with care and class, while publicly leaving the stadium's front door open for No. 77 if he's ever able to officially return.

In 2014, Quessenberry was granted access to the team's film room and was regularly seen in the locker room. The open-arms approach was in sharp contrast to the skewed public perception of O'Brien, who always has been softer and more human than the lazy stereotype of him.

Last season, Quessenberry attended team meetings, weight-lifting sessions and the beginnings of OTAs. As his body regained the weight lost during constant chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he vowed he was going to play football again.

More than three years after being drafted, that still hasn't happened. But Quiz has had a second home at NRG Stadium.

"DQ is one of the strongest guys I know. He's an inspiration," defensive end J.J. Watt said. "That word gets tossed around a lot. But I think DQ is the epitome of what an inspiration is. To see his fight firsthand and to be able to, on a daily basis, watch his work ethic, watch his drive, watch the intensity that he brought every single day … he's an impressive man. It's been awesome to have him around."

Tuesday marked two years to the day that Quessenberry's body started breaking down before the Texans' shocked eyes. When news first emerged that the team was cutting him, the instant social-media reaction was as ignorant and ill-informed as ever.

"Why would they do this?"

"Disgusting franchise."

"Classy."

The last comment would've been perfect if it wasn't dripping with sarcasm.

A caring coach

McNair's a recent cancer survivor and has been inspired by Quessenberry's story.

Smith said two years ago the Texans would back Quiz throughout his return and the organization hasn't missed a step since.

O'Brien always has treated his absent lineman with professional patience, understanding and reverence.

"If there is anybody that can come back and play, it's David Quessenberry," O'Brien said.

Team DQ has been one of the best trademarks of the O'Brien era. Tuesday's announcement - streamed for all to see across the league's waiver wire - was another window of public hope, not the NFL's normal condemnation of world-class athletes unfit to survive.

So keep fighting, DQ. Beat cancer for good. Then get back on the football field when the time is finally right for you.
Click to expand...
 
David Quessenberry says he'll return to football when cancer treatments finished
http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-tex...l-once-all-his-cancer-treatments-are-finished

Jun 7, 2016

HOUSTON -- In an Instagram post on Monday evening, Houston Texansoffensive lineman David Quessenberry shed some more light on his plan for returning to football.

"My fight is not over," Quessenberry said. "I will not compete in the NFL until I finish my maintenance chemotherapy protocol. At which time I will strap up and take my place on the field with my teammates and coaches."

Quessenberry expressed his thoughts eloquently.

Through his fight, which began on June 6, 2014, Quessenberry has remained very optimistic. There were even times when he thought he might be able to return even while undergoing his maintenance treatments -- a much lighter program that involves chemotherapy pills. The most intense period of his cancer treatments came in the first seven months after his diagnosis.

Ultimately any decision about his return to football had to be made by Quessenberry, his doctors and the Texans' training staff.

If his treatments are finished by 2017, he'd be returning to the game after four years without playing.

"If there is anybody that can come back and play," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said, "it’s David Quessenberry."
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top