East Catholic Student-Athlete Nominated For Heart Of A Giant Award

MANCHESTER, CT — East Catholic High School’s Quinn Cavanaugh has been nominated for USA Football's Heart of a Giant Award presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants.

Now celebrating the program’s 10th year, the 2023 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants announced this week’s group of nominees. These outstanding Tri-State area high school football players, mascots, team managers, etc. have all been nominated for the award by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character, and dedication.

The voting period for these nominees is now open until Sunday, October 15, with the final vote tally determining who will be named the weekly group’s finalist.

At the end of the 6-week voting process six finalists and five wild card finalists will be named, for a total of 11 finalist honorees. Each finalist will receive $1,000 grant for their high school’s football program, with the grand prize winner’s school getting an additional $9,000 equipment grant. The grand prize winner and his coach will be honored on the field at a future New York Giants game this season. The grand prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the Heart of a Giant.

For more information on the program and votoing, click here.

Here is Cavanaugh's nomination:

Character- Quinn is always leading by example and looking to do whatever is best for the team without being asked to do so. He understands that he is not the best player on the field but can contribute to the team in other ways. One example of this is when he was injured last season with a fracture and dislocated elbow. Most players would be discouraged and maybe not be around as much. Quinn was at every practice, film session and lift all season and did not complain one bit. He became more vocal and more of a leader during this part of the season and throughout the offseason. We are thrilled to have a player with such a selflessness character and full teammate mentality as our team leader.