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Mahopac Football Player Earns 'Heart Of Giant' Nomination

MAHOPAC, N.Y. -- A Mahopac High School football player has been nominated for the “Heart of a Giant” award in the first week of the scholastic season.

Mahopac football player Charlie Burt has been nominated for the "Heart of a Giant" award.

Mahopac football player Charlie Burt has been nominated for the "Heart of a Giant" award.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Heart of a Giant

Charlie Burt, a senior, was nominated for the awarded presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants. It recognizes high school football players within the Tri-State area that demonstrate unparalleled work ethic and passion for the game.

High school coaches from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut can nominate athletes for a chance to win a $5,000 equipment grant. Murphy is one of 10 nominees in Week 1. Readers can vote for Burt by clicking here

On the website, Burt explained how having the “Heart of a Giant” applies to him. “Most people do not really notice it at first glance, but I was born missing my left hand,’’ he wrote. “My entire life people have been giving me strange looks, doubting me, and trying to shake my confidence, but it is my dedication that allowed me to defy their negativity and persevere. I have been playing football since kindergarten. I started with flag then moved on to tackle in third grade. I love this game and have been working out for football since I was in seventh grade. Ever since then, my desire to beat the odds and play the game that I love has always outweighed the doubts people have about me.”

He missed time last season when he suffered an MCL tear late in preseason practice. The normal recovery time is six months for such an injury, but Burt returned in a month. “Shortly after my devastating injury, my brother's best friend passed away at just 12 years old after a long, hard battle with cancer,’’ Burt wrote. “His spirit has been a driving force in my life since I met him and I firmly believe that he is one of the major reasons I was able to turn a six-month recovery into just a one-month process by always believing and never doubting in my abilities. It was this very concept that allowed me to work my way back into the starting rotation after my injury. The ‘fight until the end’ mentality that I learned from him is a lesson that I will use my entire life.”

New nominees are announced each week. Six finalists receive a $1,500 equipment grant for their high school football programs. The winner will receive an additional $3,500 prize.

Mahopac lost its season-opening game last week to Ketcham, 40-23. Burt had three tackles in the game. The Indians host Greeley on Friday at 7 p.m.

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