Sachem East Football Player Nominated For Heart Of A Giant Award

Sachem High School East football player Ryan Micheli has been nominated for USA Football's Heart of a Giant Award.

Micheli, a senior from Farmingville, was nominated by his coaches along with other players in the Tri-state area for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.

The 2019 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award is presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and NY Giants—and the fourth set of ten outstanding Tri-State area high school football player nominees were announced recently and is open for voting.

“In his time at Sachem East he has made an imprint on the school community and takes pride in being the best person he can be on a daily basis,” Head Coach Philip Torregrosa said of Micheli.

Micheli is a three-year starter on both baseball and football teams and two-year captain of the football team.

He said he discovered his love for football while trying to escape his foggy mind, a result from his OCD and severe anxiety.

"Now with the right treatment and guidance, I was able to overcome this hardship, but I can honestly say Football has been a significant difference in the process to overcome my setbacks," Micheli said.

While he is committed to football, maintaining his GPA, and several school and community service organizations, Micheli is committed to playing college baseball. He accepted a scholarship to play baseball at Stony Brook University.

Voting for these nominees will be open for 25 days with final vote tally determining who will be named the group’s finalist. One grand prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the Heart of a Giant and will be honored on the field during a New York Giants’ home game. All six finalists and four honorable mention finalists will receive $1,000 for their high school’s football program, with the winner’s school getting an additional $9,000.

For more information on the program and to vote, click here.