'Heart Of A Giant': Pinelands Football Player Nominated For Award

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — Anthony Aguanno was involved in a horrific weight room injury while he was coming back from shoulder surgery. But his determination to never let this bring him down has netted him a prestigious nomination: Aguanno is a nominee for USA Football’s Heart of a Giant Award presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants.

"These outstanding Tri-State area high school football players, mascots, team managers, flag football players etc. have all been nominated for the award by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character, and dedication," a news release from USA Football reads.

Aguanno, a varsity football player at Pinelands Regional High School, missed two seasons of the sport due to his injury, according to USA Football. But he still never missed a practice and his coaches named him a player coach.

"I demonstrate leadership on the field by always encouraging my teammates to do better and give 100 percent," Aguanno said in his USA Football bio.

According to his bio, he will also be the first member of his family to attend a four-year school.

Aguanno is a Week 3 nominee, meaning voting will stay open through Oct. 6. If you want to vote for Aguanno, click here.

The final vote tally determines who will be named the weekly group’s finalist.

At the end of the 6-week voting process, six finalists and five others based on work ethic and character 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, click here.