DALLAS (FWAA) – Cortland's Kyle
Richard is this week's nominee for the 2018 Capital
One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Richard, a senior linebacker,
was shot twice in the summer of 2017 after interrupting a sexual
assault.
"I realize that people do want to hear my voice," Richard said
during a dating violence awareness event in the spring. "I have
support from my whole football team. I have 100 guys supporting
me through this, so that's made it easy for me. But it's still not
an easy topic to talk about. It is a tough topic but we need somebody
to talk about it, especially from a male perspective."
Richard, along with a friend, pursued an assailant outside of
a party on Long Island in July of 2017. The assailant pulled out
a gun and shot at Richard three times, hitting him once in each
leg. The 6-foot, 230-pound Lakeview, N.Y., native underwent intensive
physical therapy and was able to return to the field and appear
in 10 games that season, finishing second on the team with 75 tackles,
along with 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries,
nine quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
The two-time captain finished the 7-3 Red Dragons' season this
fall tied for the team lead in tackles, with 71, to go with seven
tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, two pass breakups,
three passes defended, four quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery
and one safety.
In April, Richard was presented with the Biden Courage Award
for Bystander Intervention by former Vice President Joe Biden. Additionally,
Richard has received a thank you note from NFL commissioner Roger
Goodell.
Richard has become an outspoken advocate for victims of sexual
assault, speaking at a number of awareness events, deflecting personal
attention while hoping that others follow his example and step up
when presented with an opportunity to act.
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 are Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon (2017) Pittsburgh running
back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton
(2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose
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 Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William
Bratton (2002).
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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 College Football Playoff
Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 29, 2018. For
more information on the 2018-19 Orange Bowl events, including promotional
and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented
by Panera Bread, log on to
orangebowl.org.
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Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America 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 game-day 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.
2018 Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees •
Sept. 12: John Schlarman, Kentucky |
High-resolution
headshot • Sept. 19: Nic Weishar, Notre Dame
| High-resolution headshot
• Sept. 26: Rex Culpepper, Syracuse |
High-resolution
headshot • Oct. 3: Caleb Farley, Virginia
Tech | High-resolution
headshot • Oct. 10: Antwan Dixon, Kent State
| High-resolution
headshot • Oct. 17: Marquez Stevenson, Houston
| High-resolution
headshot • Oct. 24: Janarius Robinson, Florida
State | High-resolution
headshot • Oct. 31: Tre Brown, Oklahoma
| High-resolution headshot
• Nov. 8: Matt Stauder, Indiana •
Nov. 14: Kyle Richard, Cortland •
Nov. 21: Isaiah Woods, Portland State
Related link: • Capital
One Orange Bowl Courage Award
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