Passaic Tech Athlete 'One Of The Most Amazing Human Beings'

WAYNE, NJ — Yosue Gomez is no stranger to adversity, but it's the way he's handled it that brings him this latest honor.

The Passaic County Technical Institute senior has been nominated for USA Football's Heart of a Giant Award, the organization announced. Getting here, Gomez said in a statement, was anything but easy.

During his sophomore year, Gomez's mother was "deemed unfit" to care for the family, according to USA Football.

While waiting for his grandmother's home to be approved, Gomez and the rest of his immediate family moved into foster care.

As if that transition wasn't difficult enough, it happened during the middle of summer football workouts.

"I was having trouble with having clean clothes, getting to practices and even maintaining my nutrition," he said, in a statement.

Gomez persevered, and, despite only beginning to play the sport during high school, he became a three-year starter. Along the way, he gained admiration from the coaching staff for more than just his on-field acumen.

"I have coached at Passaic Tech for 27 years and Yosue Gomez is truly one of the most amazing human beings I have ever met," said head coach Matthew Demarest, in a statement.

The award is presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery and New York Giants to tri-state area football players who overcome adversity, and display characteristics like "commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will," according to USA Football.

Gomez is a member of the week 5B nominees along with eight others. This group will be voted on, and one member will become an overall finalist for the award.

Voting is open until Nov. 9 at 11:59 p.m. Click here to cast your vote.

Players are nominated by their coaches, and the 11 finalists receive $1,000 for their high school's football team. The grand prize winner nets their program $4,000.