Brick Football-Playing Brothers Nominated For Heart Of A Giant Award

BRICK, NJ — A pair of Brick Township High School football players who are brothers have been nominated for the 2017 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award, and needs your votes to become a finalist.

Patrick Giesler, a senior defensive lineman for the Dragons, and his brother, Tyler, a senior wide receiver/cornerback, are together one of the 10 Week 6 nominees in the program, 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 brothers, in discussing what they've learned from adversity, told USA Football that being homeless has shown them that help is there, even in their most desperate moments. "I am forever grateful for what being a Brick football player has done for us and the family aspect of this town," Tyler said. "Everyone tried their very best to help us. A teacher in our school, Mr. Lindenbaum, and his family paid almost a month for us to stay in this motel. Not only has the community been great in supporting us, but being able to get in the weight room and work some frustration out was critical for both of us."

"Sports create opportunities for people to turn tragedy into triumph and while we still aren't out of this displacement mess, it’s nice to know that you have an entire town who has your backs, and to be able to focus on something else for a few hours a day during practices and games," Tyler Giesler said.

The Heart of a Giant program, in its fifth year, is sponsored by the New York Giants, the Hospital for Special Surgery and USA Football.

The website defines having a "Heart of a Giant" as having characteristics like:

• Commitment: Unshakable work ethic in training and preparation. Exhibits a “first in, last one 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.
• Dedication: Find a way to persevere when faced with obstacles and adversity.
• Will: Demonstrates the desire and drive to succeed both on the field, in the classroom and within their community.

Voting for the Week 6 nominees will remain open for 25 days from the announcement date of Oct. 16.
Click here to see the Gieslers' nomination and vote for them.

The final vote tally after 25 days determines who will be named the group’s finalist. One grand prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the Heart of a Giant and that winner will be honored on the field during a New York Giants’ home game. All six finalists will receive $1,500 for their high school’s football program, with the winner’s school getting an additional $3,500.

Photo provided by Heart of A Giant program