Keansburg Football Player Advances To Finals Round In Contest

KEANSBURG, NJ — This local Keansburg High School football player — who plays with one arm after his right arm was amputated — was nominated for a "Heart of a Giant" award from the New York Giants earlier this fall and has now advanced to the finals round of the competition.

Because he got enough votes, Christian Rasmussen is one of ten young men across New Jersey, New York and Connecticut who are now in the finals round. Christian was chosen out of hundreds of teens in the tri-state region. The winner will be selected in early/mid-December.

Christian, a senior at Keansburg High, was born with cancer, which led to the ultimate amputation of his right arm.

Because Christian made it to the final round he already achieved money to buy new equipment for the Keansburg High football program: All ten finalists will receive $1,000 for their high school's football program. The teen who is chosen as the final winner will get an additional $9,000 for their school.

“He’s an inspiration to everybody around him,” teammate Jacob Quigley told the Asbury Park Press.

Christian was born with a golf-ball sized tumor in the palm of his right hand, the APP reports. He was diagnosed with infantile fibrosarcoma, a type of cancer, and doctors ultimately decided to amputate after chemo proved too taxing for his young body.

Christian has not let it slow him down. He also wrestles and plays the trumpet and keyboard. He started playing football in the 7th grade, but he took a break freshman year and started again sophomore year of high school.

Keansburg head coach John Bird says, "Christian is also the first to be at all of our volunteer events and shows what true team spirit is about."

Football helped him gain a brotherhood in all of his teammates who didn't treat him differently after his surgery, Christian said.

"They've helped me get physically stronger and in the best shape, I've ever been, but also in the right mindset to never give up on something if your passionate about it," said the teen. He sends thanks to his family, doctors, teachers, teammates, and coaches every day for helping him realize that no dream is too far away if you work hard enough.

“He just amazes me, every day,” his mom Marie Rasmussen told the APP. “There are everyday tasks that people take for granted. It may take Christian longer, but he never gives up."

At the start of every fall football season, the New York Giants ask high school football coaches across the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) to nominate certain players. The student-athletes are chosen usually because they overcame a person struggle: For example, this Hazlet football player at Raritan High was also nominated. He struggles with reading.

The grand prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the "Heart of a Giant." That teen will be honored on the field during a New York Giants' home game before the season ends. The videos will be reviewed by the presenting sponsors of the award: USA Football, Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants.

So congrats to Christian for making it this far and securing new equipment for his high school!

Original Patch report: Keansburg Football Player Nominated For 'Heart Of A Giant'