On September 14, 2009, the great Patrick Swayze lost his battle with pancreatic cancer and passed away too young at the age of 57. Swayze had a prolific acting career, one that inspired his devoted fan base to believe that if anyone could beat this disease it was him (Swayze played a bank robbing surf ninja and villainous sky diving enthusiast in Point Break. Cancer? No problem, compadre). He was diagnosed in January of 2008 with a sickness that most people will succumb to in under a year - he held on for 20+ months. During that time period, his 1989 film Road House was the most broadcast movie on American television in the past year according to Rolling Stone - airing 45 times on AMC, A&E and CMT. Maybe you were lucky enough to flip it on and catch a riveting scene like this…

In lieu of burying Swayze with Dalton’s medical dossier, each Tuesday during football season I’ll be awarding one player the “Pain Don’t Hurt” Award to honor Swayze’s memory. This week’s recipient: Brandon Meriweather of the New England Patriots.

Last week, the retired Rodney Harrison said of his strong safety protege, “Brandon Meriweather will be putting his helmet down [Terrell Owens'] throat.”

Though Owens was held to just 2 catches for 46 yards, and no TDs by the Patriots secondary, the brand of raw aggression that Harrison, who’s apparently maintained his maniacal nature, is referring to here was best on display during that stack-up hit by Meriweather on Bills’ Leodis McKelvin during that kick-off return late in the 4th. ESPN failed to mention Swayze’s passing during the entire broadcast of the game, but they did show about 15 angles of Meriweather holding up McKelvin while his teammates ransacked him. The Pierre Woods forced fumble - recovered by New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski - and impending TD drive sealed the victory for the Pats and ripped the proverbial neck out of the Bills’ upset hopes.

(photo via NFL.com)