USA Football's Heart of a Giant Award Winner Is From Putnam County

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — This year’s USA Football Heart of a Giant award winner is Eduardo Recinos from Putnam Valley.

He was honored by New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones during a ceremony Wednesday in the Giants’ team locker room at MetLife Stadium.

Jones, alongside Dr. Samuel A. Taylor, sports medicine surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery and Associate Team Physician for the New York Giants, surprised Recinos, alongside his team and family — handing him the grand prize trophy.

Recinos was also awarded a $1,000 equipment grant for the Putnam Valley High School football program for being a finalist, and another $9,000 equipment grant for being named program winner — totaling $10,000 for the school’s program.

"Working with USA Football, HSS, and the Giants to honor the most inspiring local high school students with a unique love for the game of football is very meaningful to me," Jones said in an announcement about the ceremony. "I am thrilled to join Eduardo’s teammates and coaches today to celebrate his accomplishment of winning this year’s award for demonstrating what it means to have the Heart of a Giant, and I wish him all the success in the future."

Recinos is a junior at Putnam Valley High School, and team manager for the school’s football team — where he provides support to players and coaches on and off the field, bringing positivity to the team each practice and game.

He was diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy at birth, and he was unable to walk on his own power as he got older, among other various day-to-day challenges he had to persevere through as he grew up. Following numerous surgeries and rehabilitations, he was able to walk with the assistance of a walker, program officials said.

He never let his diagnosis hold him back, and he continued to push himself to one day be able to walk on his own with no assistance, they said. Now, Recinos can be seen in the halls of his high school and on the sidelines with his team walking completely on his own strength with no assistance, after taking on each daily challenge with joyful determination.

Recinos has always had a passion for sports, and prior to joining the football team as team manager, he could be seen carrying a football around school every day. Showing off the courage he had built throughout his life, Recinos approached Putnam Valley High School football coach Ryan Elsasser this past season after wanting to find a way to be a part of the team for years. He initially asked if he could play and practice with the team, but both sides decided on Recinos being the team manager, which greatly excited Recinos and the team.

This season, Recinos committed himself to the team and attended every practice and all games, as well as providing motivational support for the team through engaging with and pushing the players to achieve their goals, his coach said. Through this opportunity with the football team, Recinos has established newfound self-confidence, and he has built an incredible bond with the school — from fellow classmates, teammates, teachers, and staff — through his uncanny ability to bring people together through an inspiring and upbeat personality. Due to his diagnosis, he spends his school day offsite in BOCES programs designed to build his vocational skills and independence. However, his role as team manager has allowed him to expand his social circle, and touch so many lives with his incredible story of defiance and perseverance.

“USA Football is honored to reward Eduardo Recinos with this year’s Heart of a Giant award,” said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. “The Giants and HSS have been exceptional partners during the past decade. We look forward to continuing to collectively celebrate students and athletes who display the same unmatched perseverance and love for the game as Eduardo.”

Recinos has been a fantastic addition to the Putnam Valley Football program, and his compassion, commitment, and determination shines through every day, his coach said. Recinos has become one of the team’s most important members, for his commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will, demonstrating his Heart of a Giant.

“I have had the honor of being a part of this 10-year program recognizing local tri-state student athletes who demonstrate what it takes to have a Heart of a Giant,” Dr. Taylor said. “Through this initiative, we have acknowledged incredible students within our local communities, and I am delighted to celebrate today with Eduardo.”

The USA Football's Heart of a Giant is presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants. The program celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. In that time, it has expanded to highlight not only high-school tackle football players, but all Tri-State flag football athletes, student managers, student mascots or other designated student team members who demonstrate a relentless work ethic and unmatched love for the game.

For six weeks, coaches submitted a group of weekly nominees for their commitment, teamwork, will, character, and dedication. At the end of the voting process, there were six finalists and five honorable mention nominees named, for a total of 11 finalist honorees for this year’s 2023 Heart of a Giant Team. Each finalist then submitted a video, which featured their coaches, family and teammates stating why that finalist has the Heart of a Giant.

Each finalist receives a $1,000 equipment grant for their high school’s football program, with the grand prize winner’s school getting an additional $9,000 equipment grant.

For more information on the program, click here.