Oakland Senior Nominated For Heart Of A Giant Award

OAKLAND, NJ — An Indian Hills High School senior has been nominated for a prestigious award sponsored by the New York Giants.

Brandon Birks, a linebacker on defense and tight end on offense, has been nominated for the Heart of Giant Award.

Birks' coach David Schuman said he is "a lunch-pail guy who gives everything he has on every play.

The Heart of Giant Award is presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery and the Giants. Players are nominated by the their coaches based on their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.

Birks makes up for being "an outsized player" with his "intelligence, hard work and effort," according to the nomination information.

Sixty players from the tri-state area will be nominated for the grand prize, which includes a $5,000 equipment grant for his or her high school's football program. The winner will be presented with the award during a ceremony at a New York Giants' home game at MetLife Stadium. Nominees are announced in six sets of 10. Each of the six finalists will receive a $1,500 equipment grant for their school.

Public voting on the most recent set of 10 nominees, including George, is open online for 25 days.

For more information, or to vote, click here.

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