WATCH: NY Giant Evan Engram Surprises Passaic Tech Award Winner

WAYNE, NJ — Yosue Gomez has garnered high praise from his coaches at Passaic County Technical Institute for both his play on the field, and who he is as a person off the field. Now, he's been recognized for his hard work at determination by USA Football, garnering the 2020 Heart of a Giant award.

Through the award, Passaic Tech will receive a $5,000 grant for the football program to use for equipment. But Passaic Tech, and Gomez, got another surprise during a virtual award ceremony when New York Giants tight end Evan Engram surprised the team with an additional $5,000 donation through the NFL Foundation.

In a video produced by USA Football, Passaic Tech head football coach Matt Demarest gathers the team for an unplanned meeting, in which he introduces Engram, who announces that Gomez has won the award.

"All the things in your life that can hold a lot of people back, you never let that happen," said Engram.

"I think the biggest thing, as people, that we can leave on this Earth is how we impact the people around us. How we build people up, how we support people, or how we just be an example in our communities," added Engram. "You are the prime example of a positive impact on this Earth."

Gomez called the award "an honor all around," before saying that he was happy the money would go to a football program that helped him when he needed it most.

"The real point of the story, and the real point of highlighting something like this, is just to show you that your situation, or just because you feel like you're at rock bottom, doesn't mean you can't shoot right back up to the top," said Gomez. "It's not more about me, it's more about the fact that you can do whatever you want as long as you put your mind to it."

Gomez would know, as the road to this point has been anything but easy for the three-year starter.

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

Gomez spoke about often having trouble getting clean clothes, making it to football practice and maintaining proper nutrition, before eventually being moved into foster care.

His "support family," Fredi and Aracelys Delgado, also appeared on video, and spoke about getting to this point through numerous trials and tribulations.

"It hasn't been an easy road, but I'm so proud of Yosue for everything that he's accomplished," said Fredi.

"And thank you for letting us be part of your story, you've been one of the best things that's happened to us and we're so happy to be there for what we can, and to see you excel," added Aracelys.

Watch the full video below:

According to USA Football, the Heart of a Giant program seeks to pinpoint and highlight Tri-State high school football players who demonstrate "that extra something special, on and off the field."

Candidates are nominated by their coaches, and are judged on values including commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will.

The award itself is presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery, and the New York Giants.