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Honoring high school athletes who inspire greatness on and off the field

Heart of a Giant Logo
Woman running with a ball wearing a mouth guard.

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
1
USA Football, Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants encourage coaches to nominate student athletes who participate in tackle or flag football, team managers or mascots who are worthy of the award regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual or gender orientation and disability.
2
USA Football reviews all nominations and selects 60 top nominees for the Heart of a Giant award, entering them into an online voting competition. Nominees are announced 10 per week over a 6-week span.
3
Voting opens and nominees promote themselves for the chance to be named a finalist for the Heart of a Giant award. One nominee with the most votes will be chosen each week as well as an additional 5 based on work ethic and character making 11 total finalists.
4
Finalists submit a video to be reviewed for the final round of voting, and all finalists receive a $1,000 equipment grant for their school. See below for video submissions from past winners.
5
USA Football, Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants review all video submissions and select 1 winner for the Heart of a Giant award to win an additional $9,000 equipment grant and trophy.
01/05

Heart of a Giant Rules

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
Hospital for Special Surgery Logo
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 16th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2025-2026), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2024-2025). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a fifth consecutive year (2025). 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. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. 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.
2024 Winner
2023 Winner
2022 Winner
2021 Co-Winner
2021 Co-Winner
2020 Winner
2019 Winner
2018 Winner
2017 Winner
2016 Winner
2015 Winner
2014 Co-Winner
2014 Co-Winner

2024 Winner

01/13

Vanessa Tepper

Minisink Valley High School | Slate Hill, NY

Vanessa is a remarkable young woman who has overcome significant health challenges with unwavering resilience. Diagnosed with ITP, she endured weeks in the hospital battling internal bleeding but maintained a positive spirit throughout her treatment. Driven by a desire to make a difference, she took the initiative to start the inaugural flag football team at her school, even when her own participation was uncertain. Vanessa not only mentored new athletes but also contributed as a coach. Her determination and hard work paid off, as she was able to compete in the spring season. Beyond her athletic achievements, Vanessa is deeply involved in her community, volunteering at a local food kitchen and supporting various sporting events. She has also participated in other varsity sports and is currently dedicated to helping others overcome health issues through her involvement in a half-day program and the EMS program. Vanessa's academic accomplishments are equally impressive, as she is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and High Honor Roll. She has completed an impressive 26 college credits while still in high school and has been recognized for her leadership and community service with awards such as the Sojourner Truth Award and a spot on the Junior Leadership Committee of Orange County. On the athletic field, Vanessa has excelled as the captain of both the varsity flag football and varsity soccer teams. She has also received prestigious awards like the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award, Offensive Player of the Year in flag football, Coaches Award in soccer, and has achieved third-place finishes in women's varsity wrestling, girls' soccer, and flag football. Vanessa's unwavering spirit, dedication to her community, and exceptional athletic achievements make her a truly inspiring individual. 

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