Robert Godhigh Named Recipient of ACC Piccolo Award
By Michael Collins
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Tech fifth-year senior running back Robert Godhigh is no stranger to beating the odds, and his attitude and contributions to the team this year have not gone unnoticed. Godhigh has been named the recipient of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s 2013 Brian Piccolo Award, ACC Commissioner John Swofford announced Thursday.
The Piccolo Award is given annually in memory of the late Brian Piccolo to the “most courageous” football player in the ACC. Piccolo was the ACC Athlete of the Year in 1965 and played for the Chicago Bears before his career was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer. The award began in 1970, the year of Piccolo’s death.
Godhigh, who began his career at Georgia Tech as a walk-on, underwent three surgeries during the 2013 calendar year–two shoulder surgeries and an operation on his hand–but was still a major contributor to the 7-5 Yellow Jackets, rushing for 644 yards, and adding 420 receiving yards (tops on the team). Godhigh has averaged 10.1 yards per carry and 20 yards per reception, and his 9.1 yards per carry for his career is the second-best in ACC history.
The 5-foot-7, 190-pound Acworth, Ga. native is the third winner of the Piccolo Award from Georgia Tech and the first since fullback Ed Wilder in 2000.
“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,” said Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson. “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.”
The 2013 Piccolo Award will be presented at the ACC’s Night of Legends event which will be held Friday (6 p.m.) at the Charlotte Convention Center as part of the festivities held around the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game.
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