Pittsburgh’s Pitinii nominated for Orange Bowl Courage Award

DALLAS (FWAA) — Pitt’s Niko Pitinii is this week’s nominee for the 2026 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Pitinii, a student equipment manager, returned to his duties with the Panthers just eight months after being diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.

“I’m just trying to adjust to whatever the new normal is,” Pitiniii told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette late this summer. “I love it here.”

Pitinii experienced significant weight loss and extreme fatigue late last season. When Pitinii fainted at a Pitt football practice in the lead-up to the Go Bowling Military Bowl, an equipment manager took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with germinoma, a rare form of brain cancer.

Doctors told Pitinii that he had been about a week away from dying had he not sought treatment.

A Canton, Ohio native, Pitinii was treated at Cleveland Clinic, and he rang the bell to mark the completion of his treatment on July 9, 2026. He returned to school and to the Panthers’ football program in August, just eight months after his diagnosis.

Along the way, Pitinii found his calling. He switched majors from communications to social work, as he was moved by his oncology social worker during treatment. He aims to help other cancer patients who are faced with the challenges that he took on.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi had Pitinii address the team ahead of its Sept. 12 game against UCF, with the manager telling the locker room: “Hey, if I can beat cancer, we can beat UCF.”

The Panthers are 4-0 as they enter Virginia Tech on Friday.

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.

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 2026 CFP Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 14, 2027. 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.

2026 Courage Award Nominees

First Week:  Texas OT Trevor Goolsby

Second Week:  Illinois LB Ismael Kante

Third Week: Pittsburgh Equipment Manager Niko Pitinii

All-Time FWAA Courage Award Recipients
2025 Alex McPherson, Auburn
2024 Tylee Craft, North Carolina
2023 Mike Hollins, Virginia
2022 Cam McCormick, Oregon
2021 Utah Team
2020 Alex Charlton, Arkansas State
2019 Blake Anderson, Arkansas State
2018 Kyle Richard, SUNY-Cortland
2017 D’Cota Dixon, Wisconsin
2016 James Conner, Pitt
2015 Hunter Knighton, Miami
2014 Laken Tomlinson, Duke
2013 Anthony Larceval, San Jose State
2012 Daniel Rodriguez, Clemson
2011 Arthur Ray Jr., Michigan State
2010 Eric LeGrand, Rutgers
2009 Connecticut Team
2008 Wilson Holloway, Tulsa
2007 Zerbin Singleton, Navy
2006 Ray Ray McElrathbey, Clemson
2005 Tulane Team
2004 Haracio Colen, Memphis
2003 Neil Parry, San Jose State
2002 William Bratton, Toledo

To submit a nomination for the 2026 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com