Culpepper Nominated for Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award
9/26/2018 2:24:00 PM | Football
MIAMI LAKES, Fla. – Syracuse redshirt sophomore quarterback Rex Culpepper is this week's nominee for the 2018 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Culpepper had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in the spring and was declared cancer-free in June.
"At times it was harder than anything else I've faced in my life, but even when things were at their worst, there was never a doubt in my mind that I'd eventually get back here one day, and I will take nothing for granted going forward," Culpepper wrote in August in The Players' Tribune.
Culpepper was diagnosed in March after spring break and endured four one-week rounds of chemotherapy treatments throughout the spring in both Syracuse and Tampa. He made an appearance in the Orange's Spring Preview in April, throwing a touchdown pass, and he was declared cancer-free on June 1. He returned to the program for summer workouts shortly thereafter.
The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Culpepper appeared in all 12 games last season and made one start under center, completing 45-of-75 passes for 518 yards with two touchdowns, while rushing for 54 yards. Syracuse is off to a 4-0 start this season for the first time since 1991.
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.
2018 Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award Nominees
Sept. 12 – John Schlarman, Kentucky
Sept. 19 – Nic Weishar, Notre Dame
Sept. 26 - Rex Culpepper, Syracuse
Previous Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award Winners
2002 – William Bratton, Toledo
2003 – Neil Parry, San Jose State
2004 – Haracia Colen, Memphis
2005 – Tulane Football Team
2006 – Ray Ray McElrathbey, Clemson
2007 – Zerbin Singleton, Navy
2008 – Wilson Holloway, Tulsa
2009 – UConn Football Team
2010 – Eric LeGrand, Rutgers
2011 – Arthur Ray, Michigan State
2012 – Daniel Rodriguez, Clemson
2013 – Anthony Larceval, San Jose State
2014 – Laken Tomlinson, Duke
2015 – Hunter Knighton, Miami (Fla.)
2016 – James Conner, Pittsburgh
2017 – D'Cota Dixon, Wisconsin
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
"At times it was harder than anything else I've faced in my life, but even when things were at their worst, there was never a doubt in my mind that I'd eventually get back here one day, and I will take nothing for granted going forward," Culpepper wrote in August in The Players' Tribune.
Culpepper was diagnosed in March after spring break and endured four one-week rounds of chemotherapy treatments throughout the spring in both Syracuse and Tampa. He made an appearance in the Orange's Spring Preview in April, throwing a touchdown pass, and he was declared cancer-free on June 1. He returned to the program for summer workouts shortly thereafter.
The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Culpepper appeared in all 12 games last season and made one start under center, completing 45-of-75 passes for 518 yards with two touchdowns, while rushing for 54 yards. Syracuse is off to a 4-0 start this season for the first time since 1991.
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.
2018 Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award Nominees
Sept. 12 – John Schlarman, Kentucky
Sept. 19 – Nic Weishar, Notre Dame
Sept. 26 - Rex Culpepper, Syracuse
Previous Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award Winners
2002 – William Bratton, Toledo
2003 – Neil Parry, San Jose State
2004 – Haracia Colen, Memphis
2005 – Tulane Football Team
2006 – Ray Ray McElrathbey, Clemson
2007 – Zerbin Singleton, Navy
2008 – Wilson Holloway, Tulsa
2009 – UConn Football Team
2010 – Eric LeGrand, Rutgers
2011 – Arthur Ray, Michigan State
2012 – Daniel Rodriguez, Clemson
2013 – Anthony Larceval, San Jose State
2014 – Laken Tomlinson, Duke
2015 – Hunter Knighton, Miami (Fla.)
2016 – James Conner, Pittsburgh
2017 – D'Cota Dixon, Wisconsin
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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