DeShaun Foster is a hometown hero. DeShaun attended Tustin High School in Tustin, California, and lettered three times each in both football and basketball, and four times in track. In football, as a senior, he was named the USA Today Player of the Year and finished his senior season with 3,998 rushing yards and a state single season record 59 touchdowns. For his career, he rushed for a total of 5,885 yards. As a senior he led his team to the CIF championship game. He was named as the Nike Athlete of the Year, Gatorade Athlete of the Year and Jolly Green Giant Athlete of the year.

DeShaun played football at UCLA, where he set a team rushing record for true freshmen with 673 yards and 10 touchdowns on 126 carries in 11 games. The next year, he recorded 375 yards and 6 scores on 111 carries. As a junior, he led the Bruins with 1,037 yards, while scoring 13 touchdowns. His final year, he posted 1,109 yards with 12 touchdowns; he had six games of over 100 rushing yards. DeShaun set a school record with a 301 yard game against Washington, and tied a record with four touchdowns.

DeShaun was the selected by the Carolina Panthers in the 2^nd Round of the 2002 NFL Draft. In his five seasons as a Panther, Foster had several brilliant moments, including one in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. On a one-yard run he broke four tackles and scored a touchdown giving the Panthers a 14-3 win. Another highlight was during Super Bowl XXXVIII against the new England Patriots, where he ran for a 33-yard touchdown that stands as the 4^th longest running touchdown in Super Bowl History. He left the Panthers as the franchise leader in Career Rushing Yards with 3,336 yards. He joined the San Francisco 49ers and retired this year.

Each year the Ed Block Courage Awards honors those NFL players who exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Recipients are selected by their teammates for team effort as well as individual performance. The Ed Block Courage Award recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication.  With this honor DeShaun becomes an Ambassador of Courage for victims of abuse, violence and neglect. The Courage Award has become one of the most esteemed honors bestowed upon a player in the NFL, especially since the recipient is selected by his peers.