Brick Brothers Finalists For Heart Of A Giant Football Award

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township High School brothers Patrick and Tyler Giesler have made it to the finals.

The brothers, members of the Brick Dragons football team, were named finalists after the Week 6 voting in the 2017 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award.

Patrick Giesler is a senior defensive lineman for the Dragons, and Tyler is a senior wide receiver/cornerback; they received the most votes among 10 Week 6 nominees, according to a news release from USA Football.

The Heart of a Giant awards program honors players from the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut tristate area who have been nominated by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.

"The Giesler brothers have had more adversity in their lives than any kid should have to deal with," Brick Township football coach Len Zdanowicz told USA Football. After the loss of their father, the family struggled to make ends meet, and has faced homelessness and had to live out of their cars at times, he said. Despite the financial struggles, they never wavered; the brothers have never missed a workout or training session the entire four years they've been at the school. "They utilized their love of football and passion for the traditions of Brick Township athletics to stay the course. The entire Brick community continues to rally behind the Giesler family," he said.

The next step is for the duo to create a video showcasing why they have the Heart of a Giant; each video is then reviewed by a panel that includes representatives of USA Football and the program's sponsors — Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants — who will identify the grand prize winner.

The finalists receive a $1,500 equipment grant for their high school football programs and a gift bag from the Heart of a Giant program.

The grand prize winner receives a $5,000 equipment grant to the high school football program; the Heart of a Giant trophy, and will be honored during an on-field ceremony during a New York Giants’ home game.

Photo provided by the Heart of a Giant program, used with permission