In what has become one of the most inspiring stories in football for 2011, Michigan State lineman Arthur Ray Jr. has won the football writer’s Courage Award.
Ray, who is a senior from Chicago, returned to the Spartans this past season almost four years after being diagnosed with bone cancer.
“This is a tremendous award for a young man who has conquered all of the odds up against him,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said in a FWAA press release.
“He’s played in games this year and has participated on the practice field daily. It’s been a long road. He was on crutches for almost two years, from 2007 to 2009. He’s really a living example to our football team on what you can do with a positive attitude and if you just continue to work, how you can conquer all obstacles.”
Ray was a highly touted recruit out of Chicago Mount Carmel in 2007 but was diagnosed just before arriving at Michigan State as a freshman. He went through nine surgeries, including four bone grafts, and underwent several chemotherapy sessions and several outbreaks of infection.
The award will be presented to Ray on January 3rd at the Orange Bowl coaches luncheon then will be honored again during the Orange Bowl on January 4th.
Certainly deserving nonetheless.
Ref: Grand Rapids Press, spartanjerseys.com (image)