After defensive players won the Pat Tillman Scout Team Player of the Week Award for three consecutive weeks, Arizona Cardinals tight end Travis Vokolek got it back for the offense for his work prior to the Week 15 game against the Patriots.
That enabled Vokolek to wear the special No. 40 jersey in practice this past week for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.
“Pat Tillman is obviously a legacy around here,” Vokolek said. “And to get that jersey is a privilege and an honor. I’m out there proudly representing it.”
The Vokolek came to the Cardinals in 2023 after being signed off the Ravens practice squad on Dec. 20. He was born in June of 1998, a little more than a month after Tillman was selected by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the draft.
He said, “I knew about him a little bit growing up. I was obviously a football fan. I’m from a football family. My dad (DJ) is a football coach. Growing up watching the NFL and you obviously hear stories about different individuals and in the NFL and Pat Tillman is a very unique story. So I got here and you see pictures everywhere. He’s got his own locker out there, so he’s a big deal.”
The recurring theme talking to players each week that won the award is the motivation to have a chance at it.
“Competition is obviously part of our job description,” Vokolek said. “You gotta go out there and you gotta earn it. I’m gonna try and get it again. I just always go out there and try to put my best stuff on film and try to help this team win whether I’m playing or on the scout team. Whatever I’m doing, I just try and go out and help the team accomplish our goal of going 1-0 every week.”
Asked if he had a sense of standing out in the week of practice for which he was recognized, Vokolek said, “There are definitely plays out there where you think there’s a chance, but during practice you gotta go out there and do what you’re supposed to do and do your job.”
It’s certainly an important moment when head coach Jonathan Gannon announces the winner each week on Saturday.
Vokolek concluded, “It’s a big deal and something I’m super proud of.”
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
Week 15: TE Travis Vokolek
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