In its four-year history, USA Football's Heart of a Giant award has recognized some of the most inspiring high school football players on the East Coast.

Matt Lombardo of NJ.com reports the program, in partnership with the New York Giants and Hospital for Special Surgery, is up for the Corporate Community Impact Award at ESPN's Sports Humanitarian Awards, to be held July 17 in Los Angeles. The ESPN honor recognizes a corporation that uses the power of sports to help advance a social issue, cause or community organization. 

Since 2014, Heart of a Giant has recognized players who embody commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication, nominated by Tri-State-area coaches from the 550 New York, New Jersey and Connecticut high schools within 75 miles of East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Last season, Mendham (N.J.) High School lineman Sebastian Quinn won the award. In 2014, Quinn was diagnosed with 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 and maintains his role as a key member of the Mendham football program. 

Mendham High School received a $3,500 equipment grant in Quinn's name, along with the $1,500 grant that all 10 Heart of a Giant finalists received, and Quinn was honored at MetLife Stadium in December when the Giants hosted the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jason Pierre-Paul (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was last year's Heart of a Giant ambassador, and presented the award to Quinn with Mendham coach Brett Ressler.

“Regardless of what the future holds for junior offensive and defensive lineman Sebastian Quinn, he will be forever remembered as one of the hardest-working, toughest, most committed players to ever compete at Mendham High School,” Ressler said in his nomination letter.