Bears defensive back Josh Blackwell has been named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in last Sunday's 25-24 win over the Raiders.
The fourth-year pro preserved the victory by blocking Daniel Carlson's 54-yard field goal attempt with :33 left in the game. Blackwell timed the snap perfectly, burst around the left edge and made a headlong dive, deflecting the ball while parallel to the ground.
"It's a huge honor," Blackwell told ChicagoBears.com. "It's special, but I also feel like it's a testament to the team that we have and it's just the trust that we have in each other and the goals that we can share together."
This is the second time that Blackwell has won the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award. He also was honored following last year's season finale in Green Bay after he returned a punt 94 yards on a trick play in a 24-22 win over the Packers.
DJ Moore dropped back to return a punt. But when the ball was in the air, he drifted to his left, faking out Green Bay's coverage team because the punt was actually headed to the other side of the field. Blackwell initially blocked a gunner downfield. He then whirled around and made an over-the-shoulder catch of the ball, reversed his field and dashed untouched down the right sideline.
Bears players have now won four special teams player of the week awards since the start of last season, tied for the most in the NFL with the Lions and Steelers. Cole Kmet and Tory Taylor were also honored last year.
Blackwell joins Hall of Fame return specialist Devin Hester as the only Bears non-kickers to win the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award more than once.
"I'm blessed to even be considered in that regard," Blackwell said. "That's pretty incredible. My generation looked up to guys like Hester, so to even be in the same conversation, that's pretty cool."
Blackwell has demonstrated a knack for taking advantage of limited opportunities since joining the Bears in 2022. He forced and recovered a fumble on a Giants punt return as a rookie, caused another fumble in a 2023 win at Minnesota and made a diving interception in a 2024 victory over the Jaguars in London.
"[It's] just staying ready mentally and physically," Blackwell said. "I know my opportunities are limited and come few and far between. But when I do get them, I feel like I do make the most of them because the guys trust me, I feel confident and I'm comfortable in the situation that I'm in."
Blackwell entered the NFL in 2022 with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Duke. He was waived by Philadelphia as part of final cuts and claimed by the Bears.
The Georgia native compiled a team-leading 22 special teams tackles over his first three seasons in Chicago. Blackwell then signed a two-year contract extension in March and arrived at training camp just as hungry as he was as an unheralded rookie.
"I saw a guy that started over, just like he was a rookie again, because he knew how much the organization believed in him, and he knew that now he would have to be the example for others to follow," said special teams coordinator Richard Hightower.
"I saw him rededicate everything all over again. Not that it wasn't at an elite level, but I saw him turn it up even a couple more notches and it's what true competitors do. I'm just proud that he's been able to take on a leadership role and go out there and be productive and really help the football team. [Sunday] was a big moment for him and for our football team."
Blackwell's drive and dedication hasn't been evident only to coaches.
"He's so selfless," said kicker Cairo Santos. "I see him in just how he wants to help. He wants to take the information that he's given by HT (Hightower), by the players, the feedback. Every phase that he's in there, he wants to let everyone know that he wants to be his best and show his best out there.
"He's super smart. He's just a great confident guy, too, that gives Tory [Taylor], gives myself on kickoff the assurance that we can rely on [teammates]. He deserves all this success. He works hard. He puts in the extra time and puts in the study hours, and he deserves success. To see the contributions that he's had, he deserves everything."
