DALLAS (FWAA) — Utah State safety Ike Larsen is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Larsen, a redshirt junior, has championed mental health and become a resource for others after feeling at his lowest point during the 2021 season.
“I’ve never felt that way. I wanted to like end it all,” Larsen told the Mountain West Network of his mindset. “But I can proudly say now I (sought) help, went to therapy, and I know how to cope in those moments.”
Larsen grew up in the Cache Valley, near Utah State’s Logan campus. In his first season with his hometown school, he was part of a Mountain West Conference championship team. But he was experiencing dark thoughts throughout that year.
His parents, Bret and Joann, had both been hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic. His mother was in a coma for one month, and she spent three months in doctors’ care.
She made a turn for the better, and the Aggies ended up rolling through an 11-3 season. But the weight of everything was taking a toll on Larsen, who broke up with his girlfriend and ended up playing in just one game, preserving his redshirt.
On Dec. 12, just eight days after Utah State won the MWC championship game, Larsen hit his darkest point.
“You get in that mindset, like, OK, it’s over,” Larsen said. “So I pulled the gun out, I got out of the car and then it just hit me, like at that point it hit me: I was like, What am I doing? I still had the gun in my hand, I get on my phone, I haven’t told my parents anything. I called 911, and I’m just bawling at that point, like, I need help.”
First responders helped calm Larsen down. He made a turn for the better, bringing out the best version of himself both on and off the field. He earned second-team All-MWC honors in 2022 and first-team all-conference honors in 2023, recording four interceptions in each season, returning one for a touchdown in each campaign as well.
For his career, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Larsen has 197 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, nine interceptions, 24 passes defended, one forced fumble and five blocked kicks.
He enjoys singing in his free time, and he has made it his mission to help others who struggle in a similar fashion.
“If you’re going through a rough time, please seek help and even text me, please,” Larsen said. “DM me on Instagram. I reply to anybody who texts me.”
He added: “I’ll reply to anybody. You mean so much. You mean a lot. You may not think it at that time because you get in that mindset where it’s like, ‘OK, nothing matters, I’m done.’ But it’s not how it is. You mean a lot.”
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 Virginia runninf back Mike Hollins (2023), 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 2024 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 9. 2025. For more information on the 2025 Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit 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 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.