Sports
Sayville Football Player Nominated For 2019 Heart Of Giant Award
The Sayville HS student was among a group of 10 players recently nominated for the award. Find out how to support the local athlete.
![](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22821270/20190925/010255/styles/patch_image/public/drew-thorry-1___25130229726.jpg)
SAYVILLE NY - A Sayville High School football player is among the 10 nominees for the 2019 USA Football's Heart of a Giant Award.
Sayville resident, Drew Thorry is up against the other nine high school football player nominees for the award. Now it's up to the voters to select the winner.
The students who were chosen have been nominated by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.
After receiving all the nominations, USA Football reviews all of them and selects 60 top nominees for the Heart of a Giant award, entering them into an online voting competition. Athletes are announced 10 per week over a six week span.
Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Voting for these nominees will be open for 25 days with final vote tally determining 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 will be honored on the field during a New York Giants' home game.
Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
All six finalists and four honorable mention finalists will receive $1,000 for their high school's football program, with the winner's school getting an additional $9,000.
Check out Drew's full bio below:
The first football coach Drew Thorry ever had was his father. He taught Thorry and his teammates discipline, commitment, and hard work. Thorry praises his dad: “He knew so much about the game, he was tough but always positive, he gave everyone a chance and he worked extra with anyone that wanted to improve. He would light us all up like every game was for a title. Even when we were only seven years old, he gave us everything- the music, the prayer, the speeches, the eye black and highlight films. We still say the prayer he taught us.” Unfortunately, Thorry lost his father at 13. Thorry’s dad gave him the confidence to play and when he passed away, Thorry felt like everything went dark. However, he’s finishing what him and his dad started on the field years ago. Head Coach Reade Sands says, “Drew teaches everyone around him to not only fight through your individual battles but to stop feeling sorry for yourself because Self Pity will get you nowhere!”
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.