DALLAS (FWAA) Colorado State's Justin Hansen is this year's final nominee for the 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.
Hansen, a redshirt senior defensive lineman, has Asperger's, a developmental disorder that affects one's ability to socialize communicate effectively.
"From the initial parts, my dad believed in me a lot more than I did," Hansen told the Coloradoan last month. "There have been a lot of people who didn't believe in me. That problem is not unique to me. There are a lot of people with my condition who are told they can't do something. But with the help of my supporting family, I've been able to reach great heights, almost the highest a football player can go. I'm still surprised to this day how far I've come."
Hansen has eight tackles this season for the 7-5 Rams, and 39 total during his college career. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder hopes to play in the NFL. If that does not work out, he would like to work in a field that allows him to meet people a major hurdle for someone diagnosed with Asperger's, and one that he has cleared.
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 award are Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jos 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 Jos· State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).
About the Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is a 363-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 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 31, 2015. 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 2015-16 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread, log on to orangebowl.org. Follow Orange Bowl: @OrangeBowl, Facebook and Instagram.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2015, 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.
2015 Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees
Sept. 16: Bobby Swigert, Boston College
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Sept. 23: Jake Olson, USC
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Sept. 30: Anthony Zettel, Penn State
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Oct. 7: Leonard Fournette, LSU
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Oct. 14: Cheatham Norrils, Toledo
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Oct. 21: J.B. Grimes, Auburn
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Oct. 28: D.J. Foster, Arizona State
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Nov. 4: Demetrious Nicholson, Virginia
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Nov. 11: Jerry Kill, Minnesota
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Nov. 18: Mitchell Meyers, Iowa State
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Nov. 25: Hunter Knighton, Miami
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Dec. 2: Justin Hansen, Colorado State
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Capital One Orange
Bowl Courage Award