GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Wake Forest redshirt junior quarterback Sam Hartman has been named the recipient of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s 2022 Brian Piccolo Award, the league announced on Monday.
The Piccolo Award has been given annually since 1970 in memory of the late Brian Piccolo to the “most courageous” football player in the ACC. As a standout running back at Wake Forest, 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. His courageous fight against the disease was an inspiration to the Bears and the entire football community.
Hartman had serious doubts in early August that he would ever play football again, let alone be allowed to take the field for the 2022 season. Diagnosed with Paget-Schroetter syndrome (effort thrombosis) – a rare blood clot in the subclavian vein – the Charlotte, North Carolina native was immediately restricted from football-related activities. He underwent a procedure to remove the blood clot and subsequent surgery to eliminate the pressure on the affected vein.
With a rehab effort led by Dr. Julie A. Freischlag, a renowned vascular surgeon and one of the world’s leading experts in Paget-Schroetter syndrome, Hartman defied all odds by returning to the practice field in less than a month. Freischlag, the CEO/Chief Academic Officer of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Dean of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, teamed with Dr. Matthew Goldman, Niles Fleet and the entire Wake medical sports and performance staff to enhance Hartman’s remarkable recovery.
After sitting out just one game, Hartman delivered the season so many anticipated, ranking second in the ACC with 3,421 passing yards in 11 games while tying for the lead in touchdown passes with 35. He ended the regular season with 107 touchdown passes for his career, tying former Clemson standout Tajh Boyd for the all-time ACC record.
“As a three-time captain and someone who is one of the finest leaders I have had the pleasure to coach, Sam Hartman is the heartbeat of our football team and is well deserving of this honor,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “His dedication, work ethic and drive have allowed him to become one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and he has…
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