Marcus Rios was announced on Monday as one of six national finalists for the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award. A nominee for the award must be a current member of a collegiate football program, possess a rare disease connection and demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates, coaches and the game of college football.
The Bruins defensive back appeared in all 13 games last season and made 11 starts at cornerback. He finished eighth on the team in tackles (49) and led the team with seven pass breakups. Rios registered at least three tackles in eight games and was credited with a season-high eight tackles in last season's win over BYU. He was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference by the coaches.
Rios spent the better part of two years battling Aspergillosis, a rare fungal infection. He had several surgeries, spent a couple of months in the UCLA Medical Center, and lost nearly 50 pounds. Rios missed the 2013 season while battling his life-threatening illness, but fought his way back on to the team and has made an impact in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
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The Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award is given annually to a leader in college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the rare disease community.
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The Bruins defensive back appeared in all 13 games last season and made 11 starts at cornerback. He finished eighth on the team in tackles (49) and led the team with seven pass breakups. Rios registered at least three tackles in eight games and was credited with a season-high eight tackles in last season's win over BYU. He was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference by the coaches.
Rios spent the better part of two years battling Aspergillosis, a rare fungal infection. He had several surgeries, spent a couple of months in the UCLA Medical Center, and lost nearly 50 pounds. Rios missed the 2013 season while battling his life-threatening illness, but fought his way back on to the team and has made an impact in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
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The Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award is given annually to a leader in college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the rare disease community.
Nominees for the 2016 award were solicited from any NCAA FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III college football programs nationwide.
A public online vote will be live from February 1st until midnight February 17th to determine the 2016 Rare Disease Champion. You can vote once each day for your favorite finalist at www.upliftingathletes.org/rare-disease-champion.
The finalist with the most votes will be winner. The champion will be officially announced February 18th as part of the Rare Disease Month celebration.
The 2016 Rare Disease Champion will be honored as part of the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala on March 11th in Atlantic City, New Jersey at the Tropicana.
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