DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — It's a hard-knock life, the NFL, and not every player goes straight from college to the bright lights of the big cities.

Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Rashad Jeanty took the long way, the hard way, and nothing's going to stop him staying on the field.

Not lingering soreness from a broken leg in 2007. Not a painful foot injury sustained at Houston on Oct. 26.

"It takes a lot for me not to play," Jeanty said. "Guys are counting on you. We count on each other. That's a big part of it. I've got pride in playing and sacrificing for my teammates. That's what I'm asked to do, and I'm going to do it."

The Bengals players voted Jeanty as this year's recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, which honors NFL players who demonstrate a commitment to sportsmanship and courage.

"Rashad is very worthy of the recognition," said Paul Sparling, Bengals head athletic trainer. "He came through some tough childhood circumstances, worked his way into the NFL through the Canadian Football League, and he is one of our finest examples of a player who fights through injuries. He gives it his all every day, on the field and off the field."

Jeanty grew up in poverty in Miami, Fla. His father died when he was a child, and his mother and siblings were evicted from their home while he was attending the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Jeanty found a solution: He bolted to the Canadian Football League, playing three seasons with Edmonton (2003-05) and using his salary to help pay for an apartment for his mother, brothers, sister and other relatives.

He signed with the Bengals as a free agent in 2006, and the third-year pro has 37 career NFL games played with 30 starts.

"It was difficult," Jeanty said of his childhood. "But there are a lot of people who have been through harder times than I've been in. That's how I look at life. No matter how bad things may be going for me, somebody's going through more. I just can't complain. I move forward and use it as a positive. That's how I keep my focus."

After suffering a broken leg in training camp in 2007, a rod was implanted in his shin for support, and he came back to play in 10 games.

At Houston on Oct. 26, he felt a tear in the bottom of his foot — from the heel to the arch — in the first half. He wrapped it in athletic tape at halftime and came back in the second half.

"He's had different ailments and injuries, and missed some time, but he's always fought back through it," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "For his teammates to honor him is outstanding, and I know he feels very good about it.

"He doesn't want to miss a down. He doesn't want to give his spot up to somebody else and not be able to get it back, so he fights to stay out there. He's been a true pro."

There's an old saying in the NFL: It's not how you get here, it's what you do in order to stay.

"A lot of guys go through college and do the right things, which I applaud them for," Jeanty said. "It's different going through the Canadian league and accomplishing your goal by going that route. It's a challenge. I was up to it.

"I wouldn't have had a problem playing in the CFL for 10 years. But my goal was to play in the NFL. That was my dream going up. The only thing I asked for was a shot. If I didn't make it, I would have been satisfied because I know I would have given my all.

"But I was blessed with the opportunity to make this team, and I'm just trying to do the best with it."

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or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.