Minnesota Football: Casey O’Brien wins the Disney Spirit Award

The 2019 College Football awards show was Thursday night live from Atlanta and broadcast on ESPN. Once again Minnesota Golden Gophers holder Casey O’Brien was showcased for his amazing grit and determination in his battle with cancer. O’Brien was awarded the Disney Spirit award for inspiring all of us with his story.

After the College Gameday piece on O’Brien was shown he say down for an interview with ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi and once again captivated the nation with his story. In what is typical of his determination, doctors did not clear Casey to make the flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta for the awards after his lung surgery just two weeks ago. So he and his family got in the car and made a 16-hour car ride there instead.

The full video of the presentation of the award is below:

In the interview Rinaldi stresses on a three phrase message up on a wall in Casey’s room.

Wake up. Kick ass. Repeat.

Five words, but with so much meaning. Not just for Casey, but for anyone. Go do your best, win the day and then do it again tomorrow. It’s really just that simple.

Just a quick look at twitter shows his story and his message are inspiring thousands upon thousands of people across the country. This isn’t just a Minnesota story, or a Midwest story, but one that can transcend boundaries, rivalries, just about anything.

So take his words in mind as you go on to your next task after reading this...whether its just a work meeting, or trying to kick cancer’s ass.

Wake up. Kick ass. Repeat.