Springfield Standard

Missouri State fullback Connor Lair has been named this week’s nominee for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Lair, a junior from West Plains, Missouri, overcame stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma to return to play for the Bears.

Lair received his diagnosis in September 2023, which caused him to miss all but the first two games of that season while he underwent six months of treatment. During that period, the team adopted #40Strong as a slogan of support.

After his recovery, Lair returned to the field in 2024, participating in 11 games. He scored a three-yard touchdown reception in Missouri State's win at UT Martin on September 21, 2024, which came just over a year after his diagnosis. He later added a 27-yard touchdown catch during an October 26 victory at Northern Iowa.

Missouri State finished the 2024 season with an 8-4 record, marking its last year competing in the FCS. Three of the team’s losses were to top-three ranked FCS opponents, while the other was to FBS member Ball State.

Now in its inaugural FBS season, Missouri State holds a 2-3 record, with Lair playing in all five games so far and recording three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown, once again against UT Martin.

Over four seasons, Lair has appeared in 29 games, mainly as a blocking back and special teams contributor. He has also returned three kicks for a total of 37 yards and made 11 tackles.

Missouri State continues its debut FBS campaign with a Conference USA game at Middle Tennessee on October 8, airing on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m.

The Courage Award, presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) since 2002, recognizes players who display courage on or off the field, including overcoming injuries or significant hardship. Winners are selected by a panel of FWAA writers, and the honoree will be recognized during Capital One Orange Bowl festivities.

"About Orange Bowl: Orange Bowl is a primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization with more than 400 members 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 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026.For more information about Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media."

"About FWAA: 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 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com."

Other weekly nominees for the Courage Award include Army safety Larry Pickett Jr., Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann, and North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson.