Jeremiyah Love nominated for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award
DALLAS (FWAA) — Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is this week’s nominee for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. When Love, a running back, was growing up, his parents were told by their son’s doctor that Love could be on the spectrum. Although the Love family did not pursue a formal diagnosis, Jeremiyah never shied away from what made him different, changing others more than others changed him.
“Someone will probably think I’m crazy, but I feel like for that certain group of people, they’ll feel inspired, they’ll feel connected and they’ll feel welcomed to be who they are,” Love told ESPN in September during a “College GameDay” feature.
Love was born premature at 3 pounds, 9 ounces, spending nine days in the hospital before his family could bring him home. He possessed a daredevil streak from the time he could walk — jumping off his porch, leaping off his garage and rarely sitting still.
The St. Louis native described himself as odd and introverted. He was always particular with his clothes, and his attention to detail was second-to-none. Sports became an outlet. But his lack of emotion and lack of interaction with teammates stood out.
His parents took him to his childhood pediatrician, who said that Love could be on the spectrum as a higher-functioning individual. Love accepted who he was, and his parents followed suit, telling coaches on the recruiting trail that although their son wasn’t medically diagnosed with a specific condition, he would need his space.
The 6-foot, 214-pound Love has blossomed at Notre Dame. He is arguably the nation’s best running back, having rushed for 988 yards on just 154 carries and scoring 13 rushing touchdowns, the second-most in the country among his position group. He has delivered highlight after highlight, hurdling defenders in the open field and refusing to go down in close quarters.
The junior Heisman Trophy candidate has rushed for 2,498 career yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and scoring 31 touchdowns with the Fighting Irish, who are pursuing their second straight College Football Playoff berth with Love playing a leading role. He has 60 career catches for 568 yards and six receiving touchdowns as well.
This fall, Jeremiyah and his father, Jason, released a comic book, “Jeremonstar,” an origin story of football meeting supernatural powers, with the goal of encouraging kids who have struggles similar to Jeremiyah’s to embrace who they are.
“Now he’s a shining example for all to see that it’s not a weakness,” Jason said. “That’s his superpower.”
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 primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization with more than 400 members 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 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026.For more information about 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.
2025 Weekly Nominees
- 17: Army safety Larry Pickett Jr.
- 24: Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann
- 1: North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson
- 8: Missouri State fullback Connor Lair
- 15: Auburn kicker Alex McPherson
- 22: Houston director of strength and performance Kurt Hester
- 29: Illinois linebacker Kenenna Odeluga
- 5: Boston College linebacker Bryce Steele
- 12: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love
