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Honoring high school athletes who inspire greatness on and off the field
About the Heart of a Giant Award
USA Football's Heart Of A Giant is presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants. This award program seeks to find and highlight Tri-State high school tackle and flag football athletes, student managers, student mascots or other designated student team members who demonstrate that extra something special. The ones that have a relentless work ethic and unmatched love for the game.
Values like commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will are crucial every season. But in times like this, they matter even more. When they can't be side by side, when they don't take the fields on Friday nights, who helps keep the team together? That's who we're looking for.
Highlight them to show what they mean to your team. Give them a chance to win a $10,000 equipment grant for your program.
Having a Heart of a Giant means possessing characteristics like...
Commitment
Unshakable work ethic in training and preparation. Exhibits a “first in, last out” mentality.
Character
Leads by example and motivates teammates to be the best they can be.
Teamwork
Inspires and aligns others to work together to achieve a common goal.
Will
Inspires and aligns others to work together to achieve a common goal.
Dedication
Finds a way to persevere when faced with obstacles and adversity.
How the Program Works
01/05
Who to Nominate
High school coaches from NY, NJ and CT can nominate one athlete, student manager, student mascot or other designated student member from their team for a chance to win a $10,000 equipment grant for their program.
Eleven Finalists Receive:
$1,000 equipment grant for their high school football programs
Grand Prize Winner Receives:
USA Football Heart of a Giant trophy presented on the field during a New York Giants' home game in December
Additional $9,000 equipment grant for their high school football program
Heart of a Giant Presenting Sponsor
About HSS
HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 14th consecutive year), No. 2 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2023-2024), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2023-2024). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a third consecutive year (2023). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida.
In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted
leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.
2023 Winner
01/12
Eduardo Recinos
Putnam Valley High School | Putnam Valley, NY
Will-Eduardo is the team manager for the Putnam Valley High School football program. Eduardo has been diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. This makes it difficult for him to walk and coordinate gross motor movements in some instances, but he never lets that hold him back. He takes on these daily challenges with a joyful determination. His passion for the sport and the camaraderie shines through every day. Eduardo had wanted to be part of the team for a few years and finally asked to be the team manager this season. Throughout his life he has gone through numerous surgeries and rehabilitation. He attends every practice and game for the team and is constantly engaging with and pushing the players to practice harder and compete. He has been a fantastic addition to the Putnam Valley Football Program and his compassion, commitment, and determination shines through every day.
Get More Information
Questions or want to learn more about the Heart of a Giant program? Simply contact us today.