COLLEGE FOOTBALL: ELMIRA GRAD THOMAS A NOMINEE FOR CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL-FWAA COURAGE AWARD (October 21, 2021)

Southern Tier Sports Report
Eli Thomas has overcome a lot during his collegiate football career.

The former Elmira star has overcome a stroke and three ACL surgeries over the years.

Now, Thomas is getting recognized for the courage he’s shown through everything he’s been through as the Football Writers Association of America has chosen him as one of the nominees for the 2021 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.

Thomas is having a strong season for Division II Minnesota State this year, helping the Mavericks go 5-2 and earn a national ranking.

This season Thomas has 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and an interception.

The former Elmira star helped the Express make the state semifinals in high school and then he went to Lackawanna College, before ending up at Division 1 UConn. He was playing some of the best football of his career at UConn when he had the stroke.

The Courage Award was first presented in 2002. A select group of writers from the Football Writers Association of America vote each year on the award. 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.

Out of the nominees named so far, Thomas is the only Division II player among the nominations.

The other nominees announced so far this season are McKenzie Milton of Florida State; Yohance Burnett of Tulsa; J.J. Weaver of Kentucky and Elijah Hicks of Cal.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOTA STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS