Howell Football Player Nominated For Heart Of A Giant Award

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell High School football player has been nominated for the 2018 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award.

Gerard Urso, a senior running back, was nominated by Coach Luke Sinkhorn, who said Urso is known for being a hard worker and letting his play and production do the talking.

Urso has been sidelined this season by a broken ankle suffered in the first scrimmage of the year.

"Additionally, Gerard has had to deal with a very close family member fighting through some physical ailments throughout their life," Sinkhorn said.

"Through all this adversity, Gerard has kept his head up and remained a strong captain and leader for his team. His hopes are to get back on the field and contribute to the team this season."

"I got tackled and my ankle bent a weird way," Urso said. When the doctor told him he would miss the first half of the season "it was a rough one for me to handle because all I wanted to do was be on the field."

Urso, who is one of the team's captains and a two-way starter, said he is driven because he often has been doubted by people based on his size. "I love being out there with my brothers and working hard. I love the Friday night lights and shocking the Shore and showing people what I can do."

You can vote for Urso at this link.

The Heart of a Giant Award honors characteristics such as commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will, the program says. It is presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants.

Players are nominated by their coaches for reflecting the qualities of the award. There are 10 nominees each week of the six-week program and the voting is 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. All six finalists will receive $1,500 for their high school’s football program, with the winner’s school getting an additional $3,500.

For more information on the program, click here.

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Gerard Urso photo by Howell High School