DALLAS (FWAA) – Notre Dame’s Audric Estimé is this week’s nominee for the 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Estime', a junior, has become one of the nation’s top running backs after losing his mother to sickle cell anemia.
“Before every game I get on my knee and I talk to my mother,” Estimé told Fox Sports. “I tell her to watch out for me, pray for me.”
A single mother and registered nurse, Bertha Noisette died in 2013 after being in hospice for a week. She was just 41. Estime', who was 10 at the time of his mother’s passing, calls his aunt, Marise Fede, his hero because she took him and his brother Khadar in and cared for them after Noisette’s passing.
While living with his aunt and uncle, Estimé looked up to his cousin Terrence Fede, who was also his godfather. Fede was a defensive end at Marist College who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2014, providing Estime' a blueprint to follow.
The 5-foot-11.5, 227-pound Estimé has started in all nine games for the 7-2, 15th-ranked Irish. He is tied for fourth nationally in rushing touchdowns (12) and is No. 9 nationally in rushing yards (901). He has 13 catches for 109 yards as well.
Estimé amassed 130 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns in Notre Dame’s 58-7 win Saturday over Pitt. Across 34 career games, the Nyack, N.Y., native has rushed for 1,881 yards and 23 touchdowns, while catching 22 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown.
Estimé has one tattoo: Roman numerals of his mother’s birthday on his left arm.
“Everything I do, she’s with me," Estimé told Fox. "She lives on forever within me.”
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 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 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. For more information on the 2023 Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, log on to 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 Capital One Orange Bowl Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.