14
December
2019
|
12:59 PM
America/New_York

No one thought special needs student could play HS football. He proved them wrong.

NJ.com reports 18-year-old Duane Coleman of John F. Kennedy High School was selected as the USA Football Heart of a Giant Award recipient, presented by HSS and the New York GiantsSamuel A. Taylor, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, and New York Giants tight end Evan Engram delivered the news to Coleman at his school. The award recognizes high school football players in the tri-state area who demonstrate an "unparalleled work ethic and a passion for game. Coleman, who was among 60 nominations and 10 finalists, played football to overcome multiple physical and mental health limitations.

“One of the things that football has to offer is that it provides opportunities for people that otherwise may not have had those kinds of opportunities," said Dr. Taylor. “He’s [Coleman] an incredible young man with an incredible story and I feel very blessed to have been a part of this and had the chance to meet him today."

Read the article at NJ.com.

Additional coverage: The Newark TimesNewark Patch (Patch.com), NJ.com, Giants.com, News 12 New Jersey during the morning news hour on December 11, 2019, The Star-Ledger print edition on December 15, 2019 and December 18, 2019 and Giants Access Blue on December 21, 2019.