Brick Memorial Football Player Nominated For Heart Of A Giant Award

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Memorial High School football player has been nominated for the 2017 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award, and needs your votes to become a finalist.

Joseph Castellano, a defensive lineman for the Mustangs, is one of 10 Week 5 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.

Brick Memorial head coach Walt Currie told USA Football that Castellano is known for his hard work and commitment to his team, and he frequently takes young players under his wing, works with them on technique and teaches them how to put forth maximum effort when in the weight room – not to mention, the greatest lesson of all – accountability.

Castellano, in discussing what the characteristics of having the Heart of a Giant mean to him, told USA Football that he's always working and looking for ways to make himself and the team better, from watching film to staying later at practice.

"On Friday nights, when we get on the field, staying that extra hour helps the team to gel and build to get the win," Castellano said. He puts just as much effort into his academics, because "as Coach Currie tells us, grades equal options."

The 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 5 nominees will remain open for 25 days from the announcement date of Oct. 5.
Click here to see Castellano's nomination and vote for him.

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