Presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants
Press Release 9/27/21
NEW YORK, NY – The 2021 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and NY Giants announced their fourth set of outstanding Tri-State area high school football player nominees open for voting. These students have been nominated by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.
The voting period for these nominees is now open until October 17, at 11:59pm ET with the final vote tally determining who will be named the group’s finalist.
Overall, there will be six weekly finalists and five wild card finalists, leading to 11 total honorees. Each finalist will receive $1,000 for their high school’s football program, with the grand prize winner’s school getting an additional $4,000. The grand prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the Heart of a Giant.
For more information on the program, click here.
WEEK 4 NOMINEES
(in alpha order by last name)
1. Amier Alford; New Brunswick High School (New Brunswick, NJ)
Three words Coach Tucker uses to describe Amier are hardworking, humble, and reliable. He goes on to say that “Amier has been the bell cow for the New Brunswick Zebras since his freshman year. While having great individual success he realized that this was not resulting in much team success. He not only pushed himself to be a better player, he also pushed his teammates in the weight room, on the field, and in the classroom to be better. He also communicated to staff a need to spread the ball around more to have more team success. This, in turn has resulted in both more team success and ironically more individual success for him. Overall, he has been a great teammate and a pleasure to coach.” Amier not only works hard on the field, but also works a job to help support his family.
2. Jack Butler; MacArthur High School (Levittown, NY)
Jack’s Spring Football season did not start or end the way he envisioned. He was contact traced for Covid the Saturday before the season started and had to miss the first game. The second game of the season he rotated with the other quarterback. The third game of the year he was lost for the season because of his ankle injury. His determination and drive to get to where he had been amazing to say the least. He is a true leader who leads more by example than with his words. He is a Peer Leader at MacArthur who helps incoming freshmen adjust to the high school environment. He referees youth flag football, and he helps at football and baseball clinics. He is a great role model and always puts the team ahead of any personal accomplishments. You truly would love to have a team full of Jack Butler’s. I don’t know what he will do in life, but whatever it is, I know he will be successful. – Coach Fehrenbach
3. Nick Ciolino; Saddle Brook High School (Saddle Brook, NJ)
Saddle Brook High School football is a program that has suffered with declining numbers over the past 5 years. It’s a small town and many kids who are good tend to leave to play elsewhere. He is a program kid who decided to stay and play for his high school. He has overcome ACL surgery last season and has worked hard to get ready this season. The program was on the brink of folding with just 14 kids to start the season. He has been an advocate for his team and his community. He drives out of his way each day to get those kids who needs rides to practice. He moved to QB this season not by choice, but because we needed someone to step up. When we scrimmaged and the team didn’t do well, he was the first to look in the mirror. Nick Ciolino is the reason why we coaches, coach the game.
4. Steven Craig; James I. O’Neill High School (Highland Falls, NY)
Steven could very easily fit a number of the characteristics of the Heart of a Giant. However, his will and drive are what set him apart. In the off season during our weight room sessions, Steven came in and taught and mentored the younger kids who came into our split weight room sessions. It immediately earned their respect as someone who was committed and doing things the right way. He is the one who holds his teammates AND HIMSELF accountable for mistakes instead of deferring blame to others. When some of his teammates were struggling understanding plays in the playbook, Steven went over to the kid’s house to teach him and go through the playbook. In our first game he missed a total of two snaps on offense and defense because he was cramping. He forced a fumble on the final drive of the game in the red zone to secure the victory for our team. And he did it because of his relentlessness on every play. Despite the ball carrier starting to be wrapped up Steven flew out of nowhere to dislodge the ball and give us the win.
5. Stephen Henry; Columbia (Maplewood, NJ)
Coach Henry describes Stephen as showing dedication, teamwork, and great character each and every day. Stephen works hard daily to turn our football program around to embody what he believes it should.
6. Darius Jones; Longwood High School (Middle Island, NY)
Darrius was a senior who came out to play after taking a couple of years off. He never missed a day, even when he fractured his thumb. He cheered on his teammates, donned a vibrant smile, and was a source of positivity and happiness in the locker room and on the field. He always asked what else he could do to help the team, and would even say goodbye to every Coach and say “great job coaching.” This happened almost every day. He wasn’t cleared for practice for his first few days of camp, but he never looked disappointed, and was always smiling. His teammates loved him, and so did the staff. On Thursday September 2nd, 2021 – on the way home from football practice – Darrius died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The shockwaves from this incident devastated our community, but even more so our football team. On September 15th, we made Darrius’ funeral optional for our team, but all 52 student athletes showed up and boarded the bus. They all respected him so much that they wanted to say their goodbyes. I miss Darrius’ smile already, and his heart of gold will forever be etched in Longwood history, as well as my memory.
7. Jalen McDaniel; Montgomery High School (Skillman, NJ)
Jalen has undergone shoulder surgery in 2 straight seasons. Each shoulder has been operated on and he is going to play D3 football. We are still in the recruiting stage. He is an excellent student. His character is amazing. When we had a racial incident after the George Floyd homicide involving a young man on our team, Jalen was a vital member of our re-entry meeting process for the player. Jalen’s maturity and how he handled the situation was that of a professional. He did not shy away from a controversial and sensitive incident.
8. Claudy Robinson; Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ)
Claudy is willng to do whatever it takes for the best of his team. Moving positions, spending time after practice to help a younger players, take reps on scout team he embodies unselfishness. Coach Sabella says “he is a kid who’s been in the program for 4 years. He is extremely committed to Fordham University.”
9. Grant Schwartz; Riverdale Country School (New York, NY)
In all my years in football, both playing and coaching, Grant is by far the most selfless player I have ever encountered. He’s more than just having another coach on the field, he possesses the character that you wish every kid, both in and out of the game would have. The world would be a much better place if everyone had Grant’s mentality. – Coach Connolly
Grant is undersized for the trenches to say the least. He’s 6’3 but only 170 pounds. He volunteered to play center because we needed one and he was willing to change positions and put the teams need first. He works his tail off on his technique and never complains about size disparities or that he isn’t allowed to catch the ball anymore.
10. Franklin Torres; Perth Amboy High School (Perth Amboy, NJ)
Franklin is reliable, determined, and relentless. Franklin is a four-year participant in the Perth Amboy Panther Football Program. He constantly gives maximum effort in all that is asked of him; he is extremely driven in the on-field activities and as well as in the classroom. He also holds a part-time job, too. He is the consummate example of a dedicated student-athlete.
