Freehold Twp Football Player Nominated For Heart Of A Giant

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Freehold Township football player is among the nominees for the final group of voting for the 2018 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award.

Nick Reardon, the Patriots' quarterback, is one of the team's leaders and devotes time to mentoring athletes in the school's Challenger League program.

"Nick is one of the most dedicated players I have had as a head football coach in my 27 seasons," Freehold Township coach Cory Davies said. "He is one of the team leaders and leads with the spoken word as well as with his actions on and off the field."

"I know as well as understand that I may not be the most talented or natural athlete, but I try to keep a mindset of never letting anyone outwork me," Reardon said in his biography with his nomination. "I work as hard as at the end of the season as if it is day one."

"As the captain of my team I mentor the underclassmen to work to their full potential. I work hard and take school seriously. I'm working hard to reach my goals in college, and looking forward to a bright future," he wrote.

Football has been a source of comfort and a way to find his place, he said. Reardon transferred to public school when he was in middle school, after having attended a Catholic grammar school.

"I did not have many friends and upon my first semester, my father was diagnosed with cancer. I felt very alone. When I would go to pop warner football practice it was a time for me to have fun and be with my football buddies," he said.

The Challenger League mentoring has "actually taught me many things. During my time spent with these young special athletes, they have shown me much love and appreciation. It is something I look forward to doing on my time off," Reardon said.

Football has "helped me become more confident and social. I am normally a very shy quiet person. I wouldn't trade the tough times they have helped become the man I am today," he said.

(You can vote for Nick here.)

The 2018 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award is presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and NY Giants, and each week 10 high school football players from the tri-state area are chosen; they have been nominated by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.

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.

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Photo provided by the Heart of a Giant program