DALLAS (FWAA) — Navy’s Kush’i Abraham is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Abraham, a sophomore safety, was homeless during different parts of his childhood and overcame an unstable upbringing to become a member of the Naval Academy’s football team.
“You read stories of people just going one more day, and at some point you don’t think that can be you,” Abraham said in September in a video feature produced by the Academy. “But you can be a part of those stories and yours can help make an impact on other people.
“I love that saying: ‘Just one more day.’ I get one more day to smile. I get one more day to enjoy a laugh with one more person.”
Abraham grew up without a permanent home on the east side of Cincinnati. He lived in at least eight different places, was homeless going into his junior year of high school, and even lived in the car for several weeks.
As a teenager, he worked at McDonald’s, at a golf course and at a supermarket. He is the fourth of five children to his mother but has not kept in touch with anyone from his family, essentially raising himself.
Kali Jones, the head football coach at Withrow High, served as a mentor to Abraham, along with several other coaches and teachers at the school. Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker, a Cincinnati native himself, noticed film of Abraham while scrolling on his phone at an airport and reached out to him, kick-starting Abraham’s recruitment.
Abraham graduated in the top-10 of his high school class. He became a follower of Christ his senior year and was baptized shortly after committing to Navy.
The 5-foot-9, 186-pound Abraham appeared in six games for the Midshipmen in 2023 as a true freshman. He suffered an injury in fall camp this season but returned for the Oct. 5 game at Air Force, a 34-7 win.
Navy is 5-0 (3-0 in AAC play) and is No. 25 in this week’s AP poll, the program’s first ranking since 2019. The Mids host Charlotte on Saturday and have a chance to be 6-0 for the first time since 1979.
“This place, it is home,” Abraham said. “For some people it’s a second home. For me it’s like my first.”
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.