The New York Giants might be sitting at 2-11 this season, but that didn’t stop one of their biggest stars from delivering a win that goes far beyond the field.
Three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence - the heart and soul of the Giants' defensive front - teamed up with Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) sports medicine surgeon Dr. Samuel A.
Taylor and USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck to honor a young athlete who embodies the true spirit of the game. The trio surprised Northern Valley Regional High School junior Sam Bilali with the 2025 USA Football Heart of a Giant award - and they didn’t come empty-handed.
Bilali, a wide receiver and defensive back, was gifted a $10,000 equipment grant for his high school football program, a trophy, and tickets to this February’s Super Bowl. The surprise went down in the Giants’ locker room at MetLife Stadium, turning a regular Friday afternoon into a moment Bilali - and everyone in the room - won’t soon forget.
A Story Bigger Than Football
Sam Bilali’s journey to this moment is nothing short of remarkable. Born prematurely, he suffered a stroke as a newborn and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
For years, walking wasn’t even an option. Multiple surgeries followed.
But through it all, Bilali kept moving forward - eventually not just walking, but sprinting, cutting, and hitting the field as a two-way player for his high school team.
His story isn’t just about overcoming physical adversity. It’s about grit.
It’s about leadership. It’s about showing up - for his teammates, for his school, and for his community.
And that's exactly what the Heart of a Giant award is all about.
“Working alongside both HSS and USA Football to honor and celebrate young athletes who use the sport I love as a tool to be role models within their local communities has been an incredible experience,” Lawrence said. “Sam’s story is empowering, and what he has been able to accomplish both on and off the field truly embodies what it means to have the Heart of a Giant.”
A Decade of Impact
The Heart of a Giant program has been running for over ten years, spotlighting high school players who demonstrate commitment, character, teamwork, and courage - the kind of intangibles that don’t always show up on a stat sheet but define what football is really about.
“For more than a decade, this program has honored students who exemplify what it means to have the Heart of a Giant,” said Dr. Taylor. “I am always proud to stand alongside each year’s winner, and I am grateful to celebrate Sam’s remarkable achievements as a player, student, and community leader.”
More Than a Moment
For Bilali, this moment is the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and belief - not just in himself, but in the power of sport to change lives. For Lawrence, it’s another way to give back to the game that’s given him so much. And for the Giants organization, it’s a reminder that even in a tough season, the impact of football stretches far beyond wins and losses.
So while New York won’t be headed to the Super Bowl this year, one of their own will - and he’s bringing with him a story that reminds us all why we fell in love with this game in the first place.