DALLAS (FWAA) – Notre Dame defensive
graduate assistant coach Kyle McCarthy is the ninth weekly
nominee for the 2014 Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.
McCarthy, a former Notre Dame safety and NFL player, was
diagnosed with cancer two days before the start of preseason
practice this past August. After undergoing surgery, he was on
the field coaching the Irish safeties two days later. McCarthy
immediately began four rounds of chemotherapy about a week
later. He has since undergone a second surgery.
Despite the effects of the demanding chemotherapy treatments,
McCarthy, 28, has carried out his coaching duties admirably as
shown in this video
(starting at the 5:25 mark).
The Courage Award was first presented by the 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
Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field
presentation.
Previous winners of the FWAA's Courage Award are San José
State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver
Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur
Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the
University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa's Wilson Holloway
(2008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey
(2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen
(2004), San José State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William
Bratton (2002).
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The Orange Bowl is a 360-member, primarily-volunteer
non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South
Florida community. The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule
of events culminating with the Capital One Orange Bowl on December
31, 2014. Other Orange Bowl core events include the MetroPCS Orange
Bowl Basketball Classic, Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance presented
by Sports Authority, Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships,
Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta, Orange Bowl Swim Classic
and Orange Bowl Paddle Championships. For more information on the
2014-15 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer
opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera
Bread, log on to www.orangebowl.org.
The Football Writers Association of America,
a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of 1,400 men
and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists,
broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the
areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that
include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America
team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs,
contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com or 214-870-6516.
2014 Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees •
Sept. 17: Deon Hill, Georgia Tech •
Sept. 24: Ian Frye, Virginia •
Oct. 1: Zack Golditch, Colorado State •
Oct. 8: Josh Clemons, Kentucky •
Oct. 15: Shon Coleman, Auburn •
Oct. 22: Rori Blair, Pittsburgh •
Oct. 29: Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville •
Nov. 5: Laken Tomlinson, Duke •
Nov. 12: Kyle McCarthy, Notre Dame •
Nov. 19: Jarvis Byrd, N.C. State
Related link: • Orange
Bowl Courage Award
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