Georgia Tech A-back Robert Godhigh has been awarded the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award, given annually to the player in the league deemed most courageous.
The award is named for the late Brian Piccolo, the former Wake Forest running back who was the ACC athlete of the year in 1965 but died of cancer after a brief NFL career with the Chicago Bears. Godhigh will receive the award Friday night in Charlotte as part of the ACC Night of Legends event leading up to the ACC Championship game Saturday.
Godhigh, who came to Tech as a walk-on but later earned a scholarship, had shoulder surgery after spring practice to repair an injury initially suffered at the end of the 2012 season, and then had surgery to repair a broken finger just prior to the start of preseason camp. He went on to average 10.1 yards per carry this season. He is Tech’s first winner of the Piccolo Award since fullback Ed Wilder won it in 2000 and the third overall (wide receiver Jerry Mays won it in 1988).
“Robert Godhigh should always be a good example to any young football player who is told that he is too small or just not athletic enough to play college football at a high level,” coach Paul Johnson said in a statement. “Since coming to Georgia Tech as a walk-on, he has paid his dues, remained patient and has steadily improved into one of the most productive and consistent performers in the ACC. His fighting spirit has been an inspiration to our entire team.”
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