Bunnell Student Athlete Nominated For Heart Of A Giant Award

STRATFORD, CT — Bunnell High School student athlete David Sanchez has been nominated for USA Football’s Heart of a Giant Award presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants, according to officials.

The program, which is in its 10th year, announced Wednesday the first weekly group of nominees.

The 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, according to a news release.

The voting period for the nominees is open until Sunday, Sept. 24, with the final vote tally determining who will be named the weekly group’s finalist.

At the end of the six-week voting process, six finalists and five wild card finalists will be named, for a total of 11 finalist honorees.

Each finalist will receive a $1,000 grant for their high school’s football program, with the grand prize winner’s school getting an additional $9,000 equipment grant, according to the news release.

The grand prize winner and their 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,” the release states.

Sanchez was nominated in the “will” category.

“David was diagnosed with epilepsy and has been dealt a tough hand of many seizures that have kept him out of the game,” according to the release. “Still, he fought through and has become a team captain and through many doctor's appointments has found the right amount of medication to allow him to play his Senior Season. David often tells his teammates that he must play every play like it’s his last.”

For more information on the program, click here.