From winning championships to setting records, football can be rewarding in many ways. But the impact of the game goes far beyond the field, inspiring lives in countless ways.

That is at the core of USA Football's Heart of a Giant Award, presented annually by the New York Giants and Hospital for Special Surgery. It recognizes 60 high school athletes in the Tri-State area who embody the spirit of the game through five qualities: commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will. After a community voting process, 11 honorees are selected to the Heart of a Giant Team, with an overall Heart of a Giant winner being honored.

This year's award winner is Eduardo Recinos, a junior at Putnam Valley High School in New York.

Recinos, who is the first non-athlete to receive the award, is the team manager for the Putnam Valley High School football program. Recinos 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.

Initially unable to walk, Eduardo has gone through numerous surgeries and rehabilitation. He has faced every challenge with a unique and joyful determination, and is now able to walk on his own, often with a football in hand. Recinos had wanted to be part of the team for a few years and finally asked to be the team manager this season. Recinos has fully committed himself to the team, attending every practice, game, and team event, and making his presence felt through his contributions and love of the game.

His excitement and daily passion has impacted the team, and vice versa. Due to his diagnosis, he spends the majority of his day apart from most of his high school class attending programs designed to build his vocational skills and independence. Recinos returns to school for the final two periods of the day where he is instantly surrounded by the football team and coaches – his new school family. His role as team manager has allowed him to expand his social circle and to develop a new sense of self-confidence, while touching so many lives with his incredible story of defiance and perseverance.

Putnam Head Coach Ryan Elsasser describes his student manager as one of the hardest working and most dedicated individuals on the team.

"It's amazing and well deserving to see him get recognized for his efforts and contributions to our program," Elsasser said.

To make the moment even more special, the award was presented to Recinos by one of his favorite Giants players, quarterback Daniel Jones, who surprised Recinos with four tickets to attend Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

"It was cool to surprise him with his teammates," Jones said. "He's overcome a lot of obstacles in his life since he was born. To go from where he was as a kid to where he is now and being able to walk on his own, now a part of a team, and he is there every day helping out, bringing a lot of energy, positivity, enthusiasm – it truly makes a difference."

Putnam Valley Director of Athletics Dave Kantrowitz, who was in attendance to watch Recinos receive the prestigious award, understood just how incredible this moment was.

"He is the shining light in our locker room and the source of motivation for that team," Kantrowitz said. "He has become just such a real asset and member of the school community, and it's been amazing to watch his transformation."

Recinos, whose birthday was the following day, described it as the best day of his life but also wanted a moment like this to be a message for those fighting through similar obstacles in life.

"It means a lot I love the Giants a lot and to have Daniel Jones present the award is a dream come true," Recinos said. "My message to those out there going through the challenges I have gone through is to never give up."

Recinos is joined on this year's Heart of a Giant Team by 10 other high school students who also share amazing personal stories of unique commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will. These are their stories:

Ibrahim Cisse (Kicker)

Weequahic High School, Newark, NJ

Ibrahim and his mother moved to the US from the Ivory Coast to escape civil war when he was a child. Had to learn English after growing up speaking French as a young student and had to overcome teasing because of it. Ibrahim didn't know much about football as a freshman when he signed up for the team but has blossomed into one of the elite kickers in the state as well as the punter for Weequahic High School, while also working hard to maintain a 3.0 GPA. As the oldest child of a single mother, he makes sure to help out around the house, and recently helped care for his 4-year-old sister for over two weeks so his mom could focus on his 2-year-old brother who became very sick and was hospitalized for two weeks.

Dominick "DJ" DeMatteo (Quarterback & Linebacker)

Mahopac High School, Mahopac, NY

The starting quarterback and middle linebacker for his team, DJ is a leader on both sides of the ball and serves as team captain. Overcame two severe stress fractures in his foot that caused him to miss his sophomore season, and the opportunity to play on the same team as his brother who was a senior, while being coached by his father, Dominick DeMatteo Sr. He is also the grandson of legendary coach Tony DeMatteo, who coached for 52 years and retired with 360 career wins.

Joseph Gross (Defensive Line)

Summit High School, Summit, NJ

Two years ago, Joey lost his older sister, Justine, unexpectedly while she was away at college. Joey relied on his teammates for strength and used the football program as an outlet to help him and his family cope with this loss. His sister was a cheerleader for the high school, so when she passed on, a part of our program did as well. Joey made sure to keep everyone's spirits high, honor his sister through our program with various events, and make sure she would be proud of what this group of young man is

going to achieve. He sees our program as an extension of his family, and being part of the football family lets him honor his own. Joey was a championship swimmer as a child, who took on football for a new challenge. He was recently honored as a Latin Scholar and is a promising songwriter who produced five songs in July 2023 with a certified platinum recording artist. He hopes to produce songs that help others deal with grief and sadness.

NeSean Hunt (Tight End & Defensive End)

Brentwood High School, Brentwood, NY

NeSean has overcome a lot of adversity in his life, including having to move around a lot as a child. He has also had the added responsibility of making sure he helps provide for his siblings. His middle school years were especially tough, and he was placed in special education classes. After not playing football his freshman year, NeSean returned to play his sophomore year and has used football as a positive force to improve his schoolwork and to create a positive routine in his life. In his junior year he made the honor roll every single quarter. He is currently one of the top defensive ends in the county and is a college prospect. NeSean has faced obstacles that many would not overcome but has persevered and worked hard as an athlete and a student.

Josh Konya (Team Manager)

Hackettstown High School, Hackettstown, NJ

Josh joined Hackettstown football team during his sophomore year. After moving to a new school, he needed to feel a sense of community, and he found that through sports. He is an outstanding young man who helps the football program in many ways as the team manager. He is always willing to assist in roles that benefit the team. He is a student of the game and has passion for the sport of football. While being a part of the team has done a lot for Josh, Josh has also done a lot for the team and is looked up to by his teammates and coaches.

Anthony Lofaro (Running Back, Linebacker)

Ossining High School, Ossining, NY

Last year, Anthony broke his ankle during the 4th game of the season. At that time, he was one of the leading rushers in the league. The orthopedic estimated time of full recovery was 6 - 8 months. Meaning, not only would he miss the remainder of that season, but the upcoming wrestling season when he was Pre-Season #1 ranked wrestler for his weight class, and he was favored to win the Section Title. Anthony never complained and understood that it was just a setback and swore to me that he would make a comeback. For the remainder of our season, Anthony came to every practice and every game to cheer on his teammates while working hard to rehab his leg injury - often going to PT three times per week. As a result of his will and dedication, Anthony was finally cleared to wrestle the last two weeks of the season. He returned just in time for the post-season qualifying tournament. Anthony went on to place 3rd in the Section and earn a spot on the NYS Section 1 Team at the NYS Championship. This year, Anthony made his return to the football field, working tirelessly to prepare for his senior season.

Joel Lomax (Running Back & Linebacker)

North Babylon High School, North Babylon, NY

Joel's teammates describe him as dependable, confident, and strong. His teachers consider him a model student as he is constantly working hard and giving his best effort in everything he does. Joel's coaches are proud of his leadership that he shows on the field and in the classroom. He is an unselfish player that is dedicated to the team's success more than his own. He is determined to be better every day and lead his teammates to do the same.

Michael Rescigno (Quarterback and Defensive Back)

Arlington High School, Lagrangeville, NY

Michael has demonstrated a unique and rare ability to lead others as a teenager. He credits the game of football, and the leadership he has experienced first-hand from his father as a coach, and from the leaders who came before him, for molding him. He is a two-year captain who became the varsity

quarterback during his sophomore year. Michael is described by his coaches and teachers as a model citizen within the school community who uses the leadership, he learned from football to encourage his teammates to do their best both on the field, in the classroom, and in their community. He is incredibly involved with the youth in his community, whether it be the youth football program or reading to elementary classrooms. He is a positive mentor for younger players and demonstrates an unparalleled work ethic and consistently positive attitude. He also maintains a 4.0 cumulative GPA as a star student.

David Sanchez (Defensive Line & Offensive Line)

Bunnell High School, Stratford, CT

David was diagnosed with epilepsy during his junior year and has had to endure many seizures that kept him out of practices and games. His love for the game and his teammates pushed him to not give up, and through many doctor's appointments he was able to find the right amount of medication to allow him to play his senior season – and was named a team captain. David often reminds his teammates to play every play like it is their last. Through all of this, David has made honor roll every year of high school with a 3.8 GPA and AP classes.

Nehemiah Wilkinson (Tight End & Linebacker)

Bay Shore High School, Bay Shore, NY

Nehemiah has had to overcome many obstacles in his young life, including sometimes having to rely on shelters for housing. He has had to mature quickly and persevere through situations that most young people are not ready for. Without reliable transportation, Nehemiah makes it to workouts, team functions and events. His coaches describe him as a rising leader on the team who always does the right thing. He serves his community as a summer camp counselor in town. Despite all of this, Nehemiah finds a way to maintain good grades in school as an honor roll student. He was recently honored with the Triple C Award by the NYS Attorney General as one of the state's outstanding students who has demonstrated unique courage, character, and commitment.