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O'Brien Receives Disney Spirit Award
11/26/2019 10:10:00 AM | Football
Holder and cancer survivor recognized for his perseverance
University of Minnesota holder Casey O'Brien was announced as the 2019 Disney Spirit Award winner today. The award is given annually by Disney Sports to college football's most inspirational player, coach, team or figure.
O'Brien, who has overcome four bouts of cancer to play college football, will receive the honor from Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12. The awards show, hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi, is televised live on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
O'Brien was first diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which is a rare form of bone cancer, when he was a freshman in high school. He has endured countless nights in a hospital, multiple surgeries and numerous rounds of chemotherapy. Doctors told him his football playing days were over, but he knew differently.
After his diagnosis, O'Brien moved from quarterback to holder and has thrived at the position. He made his collegiate debut earlier this year at Rutgers when he held on Minnesota's final three point-after attempts. O'Brien would also hold three more times in Minnesota's home win against Maryland earlier this year.
O'Brien joins 23 past honorees, including Tyler Trent (Purdue University, 2018), the Kinnick Wave (University of Iowa, 2017), James Connor (University of Pittsburgh, 2016), Hank Goff (Concordia-St. Paul University, 2015), Bob Stoops and Sterling Shepard (University of Oklahoma, 2014), Devon Walker (Tulane University, 2013), Nate Boyer (University of Texas, 2012), Carson Tinker and the entire University of Alabama football team (2011), D.J. Williams (University of Arkansas, 2010), Mark Herzlich (Boston College, 2009) and Tim Tebow (University of Florida, 2008), among others. The award was first given in 1996 to Rossville High School's Daniel Huffman.
O'Brien, who has overcome four bouts of cancer to play college football, will receive the honor from Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12. The awards show, hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi, is televised live on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
O'Brien was first diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which is a rare form of bone cancer, when he was a freshman in high school. He has endured countless nights in a hospital, multiple surgeries and numerous rounds of chemotherapy. Doctors told him his football playing days were over, but he knew differently.
After his diagnosis, O'Brien moved from quarterback to holder and has thrived at the position. He made his collegiate debut earlier this year at Rutgers when he held on Minnesota's final three point-after attempts. O'Brien would also hold three more times in Minnesota's home win against Maryland earlier this year.
O'Brien joins 23 past honorees, including Tyler Trent (Purdue University, 2018), the Kinnick Wave (University of Iowa, 2017), James Connor (University of Pittsburgh, 2016), Hank Goff (Concordia-St. Paul University, 2015), Bob Stoops and Sterling Shepard (University of Oklahoma, 2014), Devon Walker (Tulane University, 2013), Nate Boyer (University of Texas, 2012), Carson Tinker and the entire University of Alabama football team (2011), D.J. Williams (University of Arkansas, 2010), Mark Herzlich (Boston College, 2009) and Tim Tebow (University of Florida, 2008), among others. The award was first given in 1996 to Rossville High School's Daniel Huffman.
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