| Miami Lakes, Fla. (www.orangebowl.org) – Memphis’ LeAndre Thomas is this week’s nominee for the 2019 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Thomas, a redshirt sophomore defensive back, overcame a significant shoulder injury and numerous childhood obstacles to become a defensive staple for the Tigers. “I’m still learning, I’m just taking it day-by-day,” Thomas told the Daily Memphian. Thomas suffered a nerve injury in his shoulder in September 2018, which limited him to just four games. Thomas grew up in a house with nine other people and limited resources after an aunt took him and his older brother Akeem in when he was in first grade, according to the Daily Memphian. Two of 10 total siblings, LeAndre and Akeem were placed with a foster parent when LeAndre was in seventh grade. LeAndre became a father this summer to Laila Thomas, and he is set on providing her a better situation than the one he grew up in. On the field, Thomas has played in all 10 games for the 9-1 Tigers and is second on the team in tackles. He has posted 50 stops (including 2 TFLs) to go with one interception, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. Thomas had two tackles in this past Saturday’s 45-27 win at Houston. Memphis is in a three-way tie for first place in the American Athletic Conference West division. The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation. |
| Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award: |
| 2018 – Kyle Richard – SUNY Cortland 2017 – D’Cota Dixon – Wisconsin 2016 – James Connor – Pittsburgh 2015 – Hunter Knighton – Miami 2014 – Laken Tomlinson – Duke 2013 – Anthony Larceval – San Jose State 2012 – Daniel Rodriguez – Clemson 2011 – Arthur Ray – Michigan State 2010 – Eric LeGrand – Rutgers | 2009 – University of Connecticut Football 2008 – Wilson Holloway – Tulsa 2007 – Zerbin Singleton – Navy 2006 – Ray Ray McElrathbey – Clemson 2005 – Tulane Football Team 2004 – Haracia Colen – Memphis 2003 – Neil Parry – San Jose State 2002 – William Bratton – Toledo |
| 2019 Courage Award Nominees: Week 1 – Blake Anderson Week 2 – Ashtyn Davis Week 3 – Casey O’Brien Week 4 – Jake Luton Week 5 – Josh Paschal Week 6 – Richard Yeargin Week 7 – Drew Wilson Week 8 – Shaun Crawford Week 9 – Trey Smith |
| About the Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl is a 360-member, primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl community outreach efforts are comprised of four pillars: youth sports, fundraising and community events, academic programs and scholarships, and legacy gifts. The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30, 2019. For more information on the 2019-2020 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread, log on to www.orangebowl.org or follow the @OrangeBowl on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat. |
