DALLAS (FWAA) – Virginia running back Mike Hollins is the 22nd annual recipient of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Hollins survived the 2022 shootings that took the lives of three of his UVA teammates and played in 11 games this fall for the Cavaliers, leading the team in rushing touchdowns.
“It meant a lot to me,” Hollins said of playing this season. “I feel like all season it meant a little bit more to me than it did for everyone else. And it wasn't really the wins or losses that really mattered. It was the effort and knowing what you were playing for. If the effort wasn't there, or if you didn't know what you were playing for, I didn’t care if we won or if we lost. This year was just about will — showing your will, showing your will to compete, to win. Because it’s clearer than ever that football is so much bigger than us. Our impact is so much bigger and we just have a lot more to play for.
“So that was just on my mind all year, every day, and obviously I had a spotlight on me that I didn't ask for. But through my faith I was able to carry it, through my teammates, I was able to carry it, and through those parents that lost their sons I was also able to carry it.”
On Nov. 13, 2022, Virginia players Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry were shot and killed after returning to school from a class field trip. Hollins was shot when he returned to the bus to try and help his teammates. Hollins recovered and returned to the UVA football program in the spring.
The Cavaliers canceled their final two games of the 2022 season. In the 2023 opener against Tennessee in Nashville, Hollins carried the team flag on to the field.
Six days later, on Sept. 8, the Virginia program gathered on the Grounds for a ceremonial tree planting and plaque dedication near the site of the shooting to honor Chandler, Davis Jr. and Perry. In the team’s home opener the next day — the program’s first game at Scott Stadium since the shootings — Hollins carried a “UVA Strong” flag on to the field, before rushing for two touchdowns.
The 5-foot-9, 204-pound Hollins led Virginia in carries (80) and rushing touchdowns (7) this season, amassing 274 yards on the ground. He added 10 catches for 34 yards and one touchdown.
“Mike displayed tremendous courage the night he returned to the bus to help his teammates and the other students on that field trip. That type of action speaks to who he is and his beliefs,” Virginia head coach Tony Elliott said. “But that’s courage in a flash. The road back to playing football this year took a different type of courage. He had to overcome physical and mental obstacles, he had to cope with the loss of his teammates and he had to perform knowing there were a lot of eyes on him. That was a remarkable accomplishment and I still marvel at how he did it, and more importantly, the way he did it.
“Mike was more deliberate as a leader for our team this season. It meant a lot for him to honor his fallen teammates by the way our team responded and carried itself this year and he guided us by example. I can’t say enough about how proud I am of Mike and how fortunate we are to have him as part of the Virginia program. He is a young man who will blaze an incredible path during his life. He has already started by making those around us better thanks to his inspiration.”
Hollins, a graduate student, tallied 1,045 career yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns. He had 205 career kick return yards, too.
The Baton Rouge, La., native never lost sight of the fact that this season was about much more than just football for him and his Virginia teammates.
“Every game, every week, every day, it was nonstop, because I was carrying something that no one on the team, no one in the community of Charlottesville carried, and everyone knew that I was carrying it,” Hollins said. “And so eyes are on me inevitably, so there wasn't a day that I could sort of relax, take the veil off or take the mask off for lack of better terms. I was always on ‘go.’
“I’m very hard on myself and I'm a perfectionist. So I wanted to do everything to the best of my ability and really lead those guys’ legacy the right way, and that took a toll on me as well because obviously we didn't get the records we wanted this season, but I can live with that. It was just going out and just playing my hardest and knowing that I did all I can do at the end of the day, put my best foot forward and playing my hardest because that's what I had to hang my hat on at the end of the day.”
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. Hollins will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and recognized during the game.
Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award are the Oregon tight end Cam McCormick (2022), University of Utah football Team (2021), Arkansas State analyst Alex Charlton (2020), Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson (2019), SUNY Cortland linebacker Kyle Richard (2018), Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon (2017), Pitt running back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton (2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa's Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).
About Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl is a 391-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization 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 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. For more information on the 2022 Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread, log on to 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.
“This week was really hard, but I knew my dad would want me to play,” an emotional Tupuola-Fetui told radio reporter Dave Mahler on the field after the game. “He loves this game. He loves U-Dub. And I knew I’d just be doing him wrong if I didn’t play. I’m thankful I was able to play good in his memory. That was him playing through me.
“The beginning of the game, I don’t even know if I wanted to play, to be honest. I’m here for my brothers, but I’m glad I was able to play a good game.”
Tupuola-Fetui’s father, Molia Fetui, passed away from an illness one week earlier at the age of 58. Tupuola-Fetui wrote a tribute to his father on the tape on each of his arms for the USC game: One that said “R.I.L” — Rest In Life — and another that said OGHAMO, which was his father’s nickname.
The 6-foot-4, 254-pound edge rusher then went out and made one of the biggest plays of the game, strip-sacking Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams in the second quarter. Washington recovered the ball and scored three plays later to take the lead. The Huskies went on to win 52-42 to stay undefeated.
An emotional Tupuola-Fetui was embraced on the field by head coach Kalen DeBoer after the game. The Washington coaching staff named Tupuola-Fetui its power defensive player of the week for his four-tackle performance, which included 1.5 sacks.
A sixth-year senior from Pearl City, Hawaii, Tupuola-Fetui has recorded 18 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one quarterback hurry for the 9-0 Huskies. For his career, Tupuola-Fetui has amassed 77 tackles, 18 TFLs, 16 sacks, two passes defended, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Tupuola-Fetui has played for three different full-time head coaches in Seattle, and he was named a first-team All-Pac-12 performer and second-team Walter Camp All-American in 2020. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2022 as well.
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.
Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award are Oregon tight end Cam McCormick (2022), the University of Utah football Team (2021), Arkansas State analyst Alex Charlton (2020), Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson (2019), SUNY Cortland linebacker Kyle Richard (2018), Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon (2017), Pitt running back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton (2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa's Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).
About Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl is a 404-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization 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 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. For more information on the 2023 Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, log on to 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.
To submit a nomination for the Capital One Orange Bowl Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.