New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul presents Mendham (New Jersey) High School senior Sebastian Quinn with the Heart of a Giant award (photo courtesy of New York Giants)

Sebastian Quinn got a big surprise Tuesday at school, when New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul surprised him by presenting him with the 2017 USA Football Heart of a Giant award, presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants.

The attention was just beginning for Quinn.

Quinn became the fifth Heart of a Giant honoree with Tuesday’s announcement, joining Charlie Burt (Mahopac, New York High School, 2016), Chukwuma Ukwu (Roosevelt, New York High School, 2015), Anthony Cortazzo (Pascack Hills, New Jersey High School, 2014) and Jeremiah Minyard (Lincoln, New York High School, 2014).

Since then, CBS New York and the Bergen County (New Jersey) Record have reported on Quinn’s accomplishment. There’s also this YouTube video of Pierre-Paul delivering the news to Quinn at Mendham (West Morris, New Jersey) High School:

Of course, the news was all over social media as well:

.@UDWJPP presents the 4th annual @usafootball and @HSpecialSurgery #HeartOfAGiant Award to Sabastian Quinn from Mendham High School! #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/r3G6bIxqs1

— New York Giants (@Giants) December 12, 2017

Congratulations Mendham HS's Sebastian Quinn, Lymphoma survivor &
.@USAfootball 2017 #HeartofaGiant award winner surprised today by Jason Pierre-Paul. Quinn will be honored on the field .@MLStadium this weekend.@Coach_Ressler .@wmmathletics .@MendhamFootball
.@UDWJPP .@Giants pic.twitter.com/OxO7aYAzfE

— Bob Karp (@BobKarpDR) December 12, 2017

Couple guys who've faced adversity. @UDWJPP surprises @MendhamFootball's Sebastian Quinn with @usafootball's Heart of a Giant award. Story tonight. #NJTonight pic.twitter.com/PwYCN5OmiK

— Nick Meidanis (@NickMeidanis) December 12, 2017

Mendham will receive a $3,500 equipment grant in Quinn's name, on top of the $1,500 Mendham and all other finalists received, and Quinn will be honored on the field Sunday, when the Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium.

In 2014, Quinn was diagnosed with ALCL non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a blood cancer. Despite numerous trips to the hospital and chemotherapy treatments over the years, in addition to a bone marrow transplant and T-Cell infusions, Quinn continues to fight his disease head on. Despite what Sebastian has been through, he fights through it all to maintain his role as a key member of the Mendham football program. 

Quinn was selected from 10 finalists, after Tri-State-area coaches from the 550 New York, New Jersey and Connecticut high schools within 75 miles of East Rutherford, New Jersey, nominated players who best represent the five Heart of a Giant characteristics:

Commitment: Unshakable work ethic in training and preparation

Teamwork: Inspires and aligns others to work together to achieve a common goal

Will: Demonstrates the desire to succeed on the field and in the classroom

Character: Leads by example and motivates teammates to be the best they can be

Dedication: Overcomes adversity and perseveres