Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton named Co-Winner of ACC's Brian Piccolo Award
Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton was named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Brian Piccolo Award winner on Monday, sharing the award with Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross.
Milton’s comeback season after returning to football following an over two-year absence due to a catastrophic knee injury in 2018 earned the award given to the conference’s “Most Courageous Player” and named after the former Wake Forest and Chicago Bears running back.
Milton started four games this season for FSU and completed 81 of 139 passes for 775 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions.
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The highlight came in the Seminoles’ season opener when Milton completed a comeback from an 18-point fourth quarter deficit against Notre Dame to send the game to overtime before FSU fell 41-38.
“(Milton) has displayed a tremendous amount of resilience, drive and competitive spirit throughout his long process of returning to play football,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said in a written statement. “McKenzie made an unbelievable investment to reach his goal even when the odds were firmly against him. He is a great teammate, and his character and leadership have made a profound impact on our program. We are so proud McKenzie is part of our Seminole Family.”
Milton transferred to Florida State after a five-year career at UCF where he led the Knights to 23 consecutive wins, including the 2017 Peach Bowl, and was a two-time Heisman Trophy candidate. Milton suffered artery and nerve damage to his right leg, a dislocated knee and multiple torn ligaments and tendons in UCF’s 2018 season finale. His right leg was nearly amputated after the helmet-to-knee hit caused a lack of blood flow to his leg.
Doctors removed a vein from his left leg to help create a new artery for his right leg to restore blood flow and successfully save his leg. The main goal from the surgeons who operated on him was for him to hopefully one day walk without a limp and without pain. After eight surgeries and more than 1,000 days of rehabilitation, Milton not only walked, he was able to resume his career after transferring to FSU in December of 2020.
Milton is the school’s seventh recipient of the Piccolo Award, joining Dan Footman in 1992, Sam Cowart in 1997, Corey Simon in 1998, Chris Weinke in 1999, Anquan Boldin in 2002 and Chris Thompson in 2012.
Milton’s co-honoree, Ross, was diagnosed with a congenital fusion condition of his neck and spine in March 2020. Ross caught 46 passes for 514 yards and three touchdowns while playing in 10 games for Clemson so far this season.
Reach Andre Fernandez at afernandez@tallahassee.com or follow him on Twitter @FernandezAndreC.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU quarterback McKenzie Milton named Co-Winner of ACC Piccolo Award
