DALLAS (FWAA) — Army’s Larry Pickett Jr. is the first weekly nomination for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Pickett, a sophomore safety, rescued a man from a burning car earlier this season.
“I’m just taking this for what it is,” Pickett told The Athletic. “People around me are telling me to be proud of this and to embrace it, but to me, this was just doing what I would always do. This is just helping somebody in need.”
Pickett was with his family when they drove by an accident in Fort Montgomery, N.Y., in the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 31. A car had crashed into a utility pole, and there were live wires on the ground near the pole. In the midst of the dangerous scene, Pickett and his father, Larry Sr., raced out of their car and toward the damaged vehicle to pull out its driver, who was unresponsive.
Father and son were able to unlock the man’s seatbelt, then drag him out of harm’s way across the street.
Moments later, the car was engulfed in flames.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Pickett had made his college debut the previous Thursday, recording one tackle against Tarleton State. A second-year cadet out of Raleigh, N.C., Pickett is a youth ambassador for Marbles Kids Museum back home. He and his family are active in their church and went on a mission trip to build homes in Mexico.
“I’ve just always been intrigued by the Army, what they do and how they do it,” Pickett told The Athletic. “And I don’t mind taking risks at all, or going on adventures.”
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 North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft (2025), Virginia running 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 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.