DALLAS (FWAA) — Indiana’s Aiden Fisher is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Fisher, a junior linebacker, has overcome the loss of both his father and his stepfather to lead the Big Ten in tackles.
“You’re put in people’s lives for a reason, in my opinion,” Fisher told BTN at media days in July. “Not only me, but those men in my life. They taught me some things that I never thought I’d be able to learn from people.
“And I think when you speak to my ‘why,’ it’s those men that were in my life, as well as those girls at home that look up to me. We share the same story, we share the same path, and I just think that’s so important to me, and being able to share that and have other people just know there’s always hope in something.”
Fisher’s father, Christopher, died, in 2014. His stepfather, Vinny, died in 2019. Fisher has persevered for his mother, his two sisters and himself along the way. He wears the No. 4 jersey to honor their collective strength.
A Fredericksburg, Va., native, Fisher began his college career at JMU, playing in 10 games as a freshman. He broke through during his sophomore year in Harrisonburg, leading the Dukes with 108 tackles while earning third-team All-Sun Belt honors.
He made the move this season with coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana, where the 6-0 Hoosiers are off to their best start since 1967, when they began the season 8-0, shared the Big Ten title and played in the Rose Bowl.
The 6-foot-1, 233-pound Fisher leads the conference with 55 total tackles, and he is tied for seventh nationally. He has three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries and one pass breakup for the No. 18 Hoosiers as well.
“You lose a lot of people along the way,” Fisher said. “There’s a lot of stuff that when you look at, you could feel sorry for yourself, but there’s always a positive in something. And as long as you keep going you’ll get anywhere you want to be in life.”
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 Virginia runninf back Mike Hollins (2023), Oregon tight end Cam McCormick (2022), the University of Utah football Team (2021), Arkansas State analyst Alex Charlton (2020), Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson (2019), SUNY Cortland linebacker Kyle Richard (2018), Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon (2017), Pitt 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).008), 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).
About Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl is a 404-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’s community outreach is embodied by the four pillars of its Orange Bowl Cares program: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the 2024 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 9. 2025. For more information on the 2025 Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.
To submit a nomination for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.