WOODBRIDGE, NJ — This Woodbridge teenager was nominated for USA Football’s Heart of a Giant award, presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and the New York Giants.
All the teens are high school football players who have been nominated by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication on and off the field.
The public can vote for their favorite player. Voting will be accepted from now until Oct. 19; vote here: https://usafootball.com/heart-of-a-giant/vote
The nominee with the most votes will be named that week’s finalist. At the conclusion of the six-week voting period, there will be a total of 11 honorees and each finalist will receive a $1,000-equipment grant for their high school football program. The grand prize winner will earn an additional $9,000 grant for their school and be honored on the field at a future NY Giants NFL game.
Here is the Woodbridge player who was nominated:
Richie Troutman III: quarterback at JFK Memorial High School in Iselin
Troutman, a senior at JFK Memorial High School, has been the starting quarterback for the JFK Mustangs since his sophomore year, showing steady growth and leadership each season. Despite balancing the demands of having Type 1 diabetes, Richie has excelled both on the field and in the classroom, say his coaches.
He has earned consistent honor roll recognition throughout high school. His athletic achievements include breaking a school record for most touchdowns in a single game, earning All-Division honors, and ranking among the Top 10 in Middlesex County passer ratings for multiple seasons. Beyond personal accolades, Richie is known for his selfless leadership: He encourages teammates, mentors younger students and sets an example of discipline and determination. He has also overcome challenges such as social anxiety.
"He has grown into a confident leader who uplifts those around him," said Troutman's coaches. "His perseverance, work ethic and commitment have made him a respected role model for both his team and school community."