RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN, NJ — A football player from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School has been nominated for the Heart of a Giant Award, which honors players for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication on and off the field.
Charlie Ingrassia, an offensive lineman for RFH, is a Week 3 nominee for the award from USA Football.
The Heart of a Giant program aims to recognize high school students from New Jersey, New York and Connecticut "who demonstrate an unparalleled work ethic and passion for the game of football."
The voting period for Week 3 nominees is open now and will be live until Oct. 11. You can vote here.
Once voting for Week 3 is completed, the nominee with the most votes will be named that week's finalist.
At the conclusion of the six-week process, there will be a total of 11 honorees (six weekly finalists and five honorable mentions) recognized for their work ethic and character.
Each finalist will receive a $1,000 equipment grant for their high school football program, with the grand prize winner earning an additional $9,000 grant for their school and being honored on the field at a future Giants game this season.
Selection of the grand prize winner will be based on video submissions explaining why they have the Heart of a Giant.
Ingrassia was nominated for this award because he "embodies the Heart of a Giant through his grit, resilience, and commitment to others," his bio reads.
As a student living with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, Ingrassia has faced challenges throughout his life but has never allowed them to define him.
Football gave him a community where he could build friendships, challenge himself, and feel a strong sense of belonging, officials said.
A four-year member of the football program, Ingrassia leads through his "positive attitude, work ethic, and willingness to support his teammates."
He helps younger players train, keeps teammates motivated, and strives to be someone others can depend on.
His impact also extends beyond football through food drives, hunger-relief efforts, mental health advocacy, and helping incoming freshmen access football gear.
In addition to balancing academics, football, work, and volunteering, Ingrassia has also earned Honor Roll recognition, officials said.
"Charlie's ability to turn adversity into motivation and use his experiences to inspire others makes him a true example of the Heart of a Giant."
Ingrassia answered the following questions on his USA Football bio:
What Heart of a Giant characteristic best describes you and why?
Courage (Team Leadership or Achievement Despite Adversity)
I chose this category because I have always tried to give my best effort, no matter the circumstances, and be there for those around me. Having cerebral palsy and epilepsy has made me feel different at times, but I never let that bring me down. Even though I have a disability, I don't see that as a reason to take shortcuts or the easy way out. I see it as a reason to work harder than everyone around me. In the classroom, I have gone above and beyond by studying hard and being a core participant in class. In my community, I try to do my part by volunteering and representing my school well. I pride myself on trying to be a role model for my younger classmates and teammates, whether that be helping them train or teaching lessons on how to balance school and football. On the field, I have always been the first guy to lighten people up, bring them together, and motivate my team to give it their all.
How do you demonstrate leadership in football?
I demonstrate leadership in football through my actions and by helping the people around me improve. On the field, I make it my job to hype up my teammates on the sidelines and make sure everyone is staying positive and cheering on the guys giving it their all during the games. Off the field, I've taught younger players how to train in the weight room, educate them on the RFH standard and make them feel a part of the school culture. I try to be someone my teammates can depend on. The kind of guy they know they can go to if they need support or a helping hand.
How do you demonstrate leadership in your community?
I demonstrate leadership in my community by helping others whenever the opportunity is presented. I have volunteered for food drives and various community activities where I was able to provide my time and services to whoever needed the help. I try my best to be dependable; I am willing to step up whenever someone needs assistance. To me, leadership is not only taking charge when needed but being someone people respect and count on.
How do you demonstrate leadership in the classroom?
I demonstrate leadership in the classroom by taking my work seriously and trying to set an example for my classmates. I've worked hard to improve my grades and become more focused throughout my high school career. I participate, facilitate discussion, and help classmates try to stay positive when school becomes challenging or overwhelming. I believe being a leader in the classroom means putting the effort in and encouraging the people around me to do the same.
Academic Achievements
I'm proud of the academic progress I made throughout high school. I have earned an honor roll in my junior year of high school, which I am very proud of, as it shows the dedication and hard work I have put in since my first two years in high school. I've worked hard to improve my grades to become a more focused and responsible student in class. I have also balanced school with football, work, volunteering and other activities. I'm proud that I pushed myself academically instead of letting challenges hold me back.
Athletic Achievements
My biggest athletic achievements are playing football throughout my entire life and continuing to compete despite the challenges I have faced. Football has taught me many lessons such as discipline, teamwork, toughness, and never giving up. I've also worked hard in the weight room and pushed myself to become a better athlete. I'm proud of the commitment I've made to football and how much it has helped me grow as an individual.
Personal Accomplishments
I'm most proud of the person I've become despite the challenges I faced growing up. Having cerebral palsy and epilepsy has sometimes made me feel insecure, but I've always pushed myself to be more involved and build relationships with others. I'm proud of all that I have accomplished while trying to balance school/football/work and continuing to challenge myself. Most importantly, I'm proud that I've learned to use these obstacles as motivation rather than an excuse. And along the way, I have been able to inspire others to do the same.
What are obstacles you've faced?
Growing up with cerebral palsy and epilepsy hasn't always been easy. My disabilities add certain obstacles to my everyday life that I have been working to improve ever since the day I was born. There have been certain activities that I've missed out on growing up or simple skills that have taken me longer to get a grasp of, but I have never let that stop me from living my life. I have always wanted to be included with everything, to prove that I'm capable of doing whatever was put in front of me. This is where football plays an important role in my life. Football gave me a community where I could build friendships, push myself further, and make me feel that I belonged. It gives me extra motivation to always push forward, never give up on my goals, or feel sorry for myself.
How did you first get involved in football?
My dad introduced me to football when I was around 8 years old. When I first got a glimpse of the sport and the sensation of being on that field, I knew I was going to love it. I was one of the first kids in my grade to really start playing so my dad would have to drive me farther away than my hometown, since we didn't have a team. Every practice I had to travel away from home and play alongside a whole new crowd of teammates. But it was one of the most fun experiences because it was one of my favorite things in the world. I was never the star of the team; I was not the biggest, fastest, or the strongest, but still, I felt like a star by just being able to get out there on the field with my teammates. Just the thought of being a part of such a great community was all the reason for me to stay and I used that as motivation to get better. Even though I have this disability, I never felt different when I stepped onto that field.