Upcoming Event: Football versus Blue & White Game on April 18, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Football
vs Blue & White Game
Tomlinson Receives FWAA Courage Award
12/19/2014 3:51:00 PM | Football
DALLAS, Texas – Duke redshirt senior offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson has been named the Orange Bowl-Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Courage Award recipient, the organizations announced Friday. Tomlinson becomes the third Atlantic Coast Conference student-athlete to win the award, joining Clemson's Daniel Rodriguez and Ray Ray McElrathbey.
Tomlinson grew up in Jamaica and came to this country when he was 10. He gained about 80 pounds and grew seven inches within his first year in the United States and could have passed for a person much older. Eventually Tomlinson intelligence placed him in a mentoring program and, despite early concerns of his mother, he lived with the family of Bob Sperling, a Chicago-based attorney.
The now 6-foot-3, 330-pound Tomlinson was first introduced to football because his sister believed his size offered him the opportunity. At the time Tomlinson thought they were referring to soccer. His abilities grew on the football field and he eventually was recruited by Big Ten programs. Duke and head coach David Cutcliffe caught his eye. Tomlinson wanted to be a doctor and someday may fulfill that goal.
"I am both grateful and humbled to be honored by the Football Writers Association of America and the Orange Bowl with this award," said Tomlinson, who will finish his Duke career against Arizona State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Dec. 27. "My mother has been the greatest influence on my life, and none of this recognition would be possible without her sacrifice, love and support.
"It means the world to me to make her proud. If not for her, I could still be in Jamaica, living a life of poverty. Every time I go home or have an opportunity to talk to my mother, she always tells me before she hangs up, 'Laken, I love you and I'm extremely proud of you and everything that you do for our family. Keep doing what you are doing. The Lord has a plan for you, Laken.'"
On the field, Tomlinson has started 51 consecutive games and helped the Blue Devils score 390 points this year, the third most in program history. He has anchored an offensive line which leads the country in fewest tackles per game allowed with just 3.33. The unit has surrendered just 13.0 sacks, tied for the 13th fewest in the nation.
Earlier this week, Tomlinson became the seventh player in Duke history to be named to six or more All-America teams. He was a first team selection by the Associated Press and Walter Camp Foundation, a second team honoree by USA Today, Athlon Sports and Sporting News and a third team pick by Phil Steele Magazine.
"First and foremost, congratulations to Laken on this incredible honor," Cutcliffe said. "Laken is a very gifted student-athlete in all senses of the phrase, and we are fortunate and proud to have him in our program. Obviously, he is an outstanding player on the field, and his journey to Duke is something of a storybook tale. I know he is humbled to receive this honor. And certainly not to be forgotten, thank you to the Football Writers Association of America as well as the Orange Bowl for sponsoring this award."
The Courage Award was first presented by the 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 Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
FWAA Courage Award Winners
2002: William Bratton, Toledo
2003: Neil Parry, San Jose State
2004: Horacio Colen, Memphis
2005: Tulane Green Wave
2006: Ray Ray McElrathbey, Clemson
2007: Zerbin Singleton, Navy
2008: Wilson Holloway, Tulsa
2009: Connecticut Huskies
2010: Eric LeGrand, Rutgers
2011: Arthur Ray Jr., Michigan State
2012: Daniel Rodriguez, Clemson
2013: Anthony Larceval, San Jose State
2014: Laken Tomlinson, Duke
The Orange Bowl is a 360-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 31, 2014. Other Orange Bowl core events include the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance presented by Sports Authority, Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta, Orange Bowl Swim Classic and Orange Bowl Paddle Championships. For more information on the 2014-15 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread, log on to www.orangebowl.org.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com or 214-870-6516.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballWESLEY WILLIAMS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday, March 31
LUKE MERGOTT 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday, March 31
The Breakout - The Nate Sheppard Story
Tuesday, March 31
ONE TO REMEMBER - Duke vs. Clemson Cinematic Recap
Tuesday, March 31
