Sports
Glen Rock Football Player Nominated For Heart Of A Giant Award
Ashton Dalessio's inspiration isn't Eli Manning, or any of the Giants. It's his brother, Quinn.
GLEN ROCK, NJ — Ashton Dalessio does not have to gaze up at a poster or watch a highlight reel to find his inspiration.
Dalessio, a borough high school football player, just has to look at his younger brother, Quinn, who is severely autistic.
It is because of this Dalessio has been nominated for the Heart of a Giant Award. The award is sponsored by the New York Giants and the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Quinn has limited speech, his muscles are painfully underdeveloped; he will never be able to enjoy the day to day activities like me," Dalessio said. "The only way Quinn will be able to experience these things is if I bring him along with me on my journey.”
Another Bergen County athlete, Jake Colon of Wood-Ridge was also nominated for the award.
Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Colon has a 3.5 grade point average and spends a lot of time in the gymnasium and wants to work his way into the Wood-Ridge High School football record book.
Head football coach Charlie Trenacosti said Colon is an "unassuming" person who spends a lot of time helping to make younger players with the Young Blue Devils "better players and better people."
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. Sixty players, 10 each week, will be nominated. The top vote-getter each week will be named a finalist.
Voting for Dalessio, Colon, and the eight other nominees this week will be open for 25 days.
One grand prize winner from the finalists will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the heart of a Giant. That player will be honored on the field during a New York Giants’ home game. The six finalists will receive $1,500 for their high school’s football program, with the winner’s school getting an additional $3,500.
For more information about the Heart of a Giant Award, or to vote for Dalessio or Colon, click here.
Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com
Photo: Jake Colon, Glen Rock High School football player (Courtesy of Hospital for Special Surgery and NY Giants)
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