Governor Livingston Athlete Nominated For Football Award

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — A Governon Livingston High School football player is among the nominees for the fifth week of voting for the 2018 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award.

James Synder, running back for Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, doesn't let his diagnosis of ADHA stop him.

"For some, athletics comes easy. That was not my case. After being diagnosed with ADHA, it made sense as to why I had to work twice as hard as other kids. It took me longer to understand the plays and focus on the field. The one quality I possessed at a young age was speed. I knew if I gave it my all, I would one day be a starter. In high school, I made sure I was early for every practice and stayed late to talk with my coaches. Every little bit of feedback was my goal to work on the next day. Missing practice was not an option. I loved the challenge and thrived on conquering that challenge," Synder said.

Snyder was the starting senior running back and was the leading ball carrier last season as a junior scoring 6 touchdowns. He was primed for a huge 2018 breakout season when he tore his ACL at the end of the third quarter in the second game of the season. His knee injury ended not just his senior football season but also his dream of making it to the State Wrestling Tournament in Atlantic City this winter.

Synder was nominated by head football Coach Daniel Guyton.

“James' work ethic was like no other player that I have coached. Pretty much every time we would finish conditioning, James would stay out and do a several more reps. We literally would have to kick him out of the weight room or he would stay there all night. Oh and he is tremendous student with a 4.0 GPA. We are all devastated that James' senior season in Football and Wrestling was ended to due to injury. If anyone has a “Heart of a Giant’ it is this kid," said Guyton.

The 2018 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and New York Giants announced their third set of 10 outstanding tri-state area high school football player nominees open for voting. These students have been nominated by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication. You can vote for Snyder here.

Voting for these nominees will be 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.

(Image via Heart Of A Giant with permission: James Synder)

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