Watch CBS News

Canes' Lineman Hunter Knighton Wins ACC's Piccolo Award

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami/AP) — Much of the attention surrounding the Miami Hurricanes football team is about the school hiring Mark Richt to be its next head coach.

With the spotlight squarely on that story, the news that one of the Hurricanes has been given an annual honor may have fallen through the cracks.

Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton, who overcame a heatstroke that left him comatose for 12 days and defied odds by returning to the field, is the Atlantic Coast Conference's Brian Piccolo Award winner for 2015.

The award is presented to the "most courageous" football player in the ACC. Knighton will receive his award in North Carolina on Friday.

Knighton said after being informed of the award, "For me, it's been over since I came back to camp. But I understand people's interest in the story, and people have said it inspires them so I'm happy to talk about it."

Knighton lost 55 pounds when he was comatose after falling ill in a February 2014 practice. He returned and played in all 12 games for Miami this season.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.