The USA Football program honors high school football players for their work ethic and character. Here's how to vote.
POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — A football player from Point Pleasant Beach High School has been nominated for the Heart of a Giant Award, which honors players for their character, commitment, teamwork, will, and dedication on and off the field.
Adam Garcia-Ruiz, a senior who plays on the offensive and defensive lines, is a Week 2 nominee for the award from USA Football.
The Heart of a Giant Program aims to highlight "not only high school tackle football players, but all Tri-State high school flag football athletes, student managers or student mascots who demonstrate a relentless work ethic and unmatched love for the game," the program says.
The nominees can be voted on by the public, and the one with the most votes among the week's contenders will be a finalist and receive a $1,000 grant for football equipment for their high school. The six finalists also become eligible for the program's grand prize, which is to be honored on the field at a future Giants game this season, along with a $9,000 grant for football equipment for their high school.
The grand prize winner will be chosen based on video submissions explaining why they have the Heart of a Giant.
Five students will be cited as honorable mentions.
You can vote online, once per 24 hours, and Garcia-Ruiz will be eligible to receive votes until Sept. 28.
Garcia-Ruiz was nominated because he "has earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike for his resilience and leadership," his bio on the USA Football site says. He is a captain and "makes sure every player feels included and supported, often staying after practice to help others improve."
He volunteers his time off the football field through fundraising, service projects, and with the Challenger team for athletes with special needs.
Garcia-Ruiz works hard in the classroom as well, and had earned high honor roll and recognition in science and math.
"Adam has also faced personal challenges, from struggles with weight and mental health to recovering from a car accident, yet he continues to push forward with determination," his nomination says. "His growth into a confident, supportive leader reflects the strength of character that inspires his teammates, classmates, and community."
Garcia-Ruiz answered the following questions:
What Heart of a Giant characteristic best describes you and why?
Courage (Team Leadership or Achievement Despite Adversity) — I chose this category to show the impact I made on the team. With the help of my teammates, we made changes that made us stronger. For example, during practice I noticed a senior being left out, so I made sure he got reps and helped him improve by working with him during and after practice. In the locker room, I tried to encourage everyone and make sure each player felt included and supported.
How do you demonstrate leadership in football?
I check on my teammates after practices to see how they’re doing, especially those who don’t get much recognition. At captain’s practices, I worked to fix issues we struggled with and pushed the team to get in shape. On the field and in the weight room, I lead by including everyone, giving advice, and showing how to become stronger, more explosive, and less injury-prone.
How do you demonstrate leadership in your community?
I’ve helped with events like food donations and service fundraisers, making sure things ran smoothly. Through these experiences, I met new friends who had faced challenges, and I supported them by giving advice and having real, sincere conversations. I continue to stay involved in my community and plan to take part in more service opportunities in the future.
How do you demonstrate leadership in the classroom?
In group projects, I make sure everyone feels included, even those who prefer working alone. During presentations, I use eye contact and a confident tone to keep classmates engaged. My confidence encourages others to share their ideas, and my effort in class has shown steady improvement that my teachers have noticed.
Personal Accomplishments
I’ve worked to improve myself mentally and physically while also helping my teammates with their challenges. I’m proud to be part of a team that supports one another. I’ve also learned to cope with my own struggles and use them to encourage others.
What are obstacles you’ve faced?
I struggled with mental health and often felt left out and introverted. I also faced issues with my weight and doubted myself, but committing to football gave me confidence and a passion for the sport. Despite challenges, my community helped me fit in, and now I want to continue pursuing football in college.
How did you first get involved in football?
I joined at the end of my sophomore year while I was still in marching band. I thought football could help me fit in and improve myself, and the seniors encouraged me to take the leap. The community and support I found on the team gave me confidence, and now I lead by encouraging my teammates the same way.
More from Point Pleasant