Hicks A Nominee For Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award
DALLAS – Elijah Hicks has been selected as this week's nominee for the 2021 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Hicks has engaged in community service activities throughout his Cal career and recently launched an emergency grant program for Cal students through his non-profit Intercept Poverty Foundation and Scholarship America.
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.
Below are additional notes on Hicks with his extended bio available by clicking on his name.
Elijah Hicks, S, 5-11, 200, Sr., 5th Season At Cal, Long Beach, CA (La Mirada HS/St. John Bosco HS)
— Semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy known as the "Academic Heisman" and college football's premier scholar-athlete award from the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
— Graduated from Cal in December of 2020 with a bachelor's degree in American studies, picked up a certificate in the school's entrepreneurship program in the spring/summer of 2021 and is on track to earn another certificate in business administration in December of 2021
— 2021 Preseason All-Pac-12 Third-Team (Athlon) And Honorable Mention (Pac-12 Media), Cal Game Captain (Nevada), NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board, No. 13 National Draft Safety (Phil Steele), Players To Watch (Athlon)
— Has played in all 47 games possible with 39 starts over the last four-plus seasons since his arrival in January of 2017 and is Cal's active career leader with 169 tackles and four forced fumbles, while adding 9.5 tackles for loss (-26 yards), 2.0 sacks (-7 yards), two interceptions that he has returned for a combined 64 yards and one touchdown and 12 pass breakups
— Member of the AFCA All-State Good Works Team® as a 2020 junior
— Founded a nonprofit called Intercept Poverty Foundation and then raised nearly $70,000 to help families feed their school-aged children during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic
Working to make a difference. @ELITHEMAN1 and his @InterceptPovFo foundation are providing emergency grants to @Cal students to aid with the cost of education.
Learn More and Apply Today: https://t.co/2ZRv3lpnaO pic.twitter.com/Ue4NpLtAG4
— Cal Football (@CalFootball) October 12, 2021