McManus Among ‘Heart of a Giant’ Week 3 Finalists

COOPERSTOWN—Parker McManus, a wide receiver/cornerback for the Cooperstown Central School football team, is among a group of outstanding Tri-State area high-school students nominated for week three of the 2026 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award. Students were nominated for the award, presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants, by their coaches “for their commitment, teamwork, will, character, and dedication on and off the field,” according to a press release. The voting period is now open for week three nominees and will be live until October 11 at https://usafootball.com/heart-of-a-giant/vote.

Information provided about McManus is as follows:

“Parker embodies courage through his ability to persevere through significant physical and personal adversity. From a young age, Parker faced numerous health challenges, including being diagnosed with Chiari malformation, undergoing brain surgery at just 4 years old, and being legally blind in his left eye. He has also undergone eight surgeries throughout his life. Despite these challenges, Parker has continued to push himself both on and off the field. A varsity football starter since his freshman year, he set a single-game receptions record and earned a four-touchdown game during his sophomore season.

“In October 2025, Parker suffered another major setback when he tore his ACL during a varsity game, requiring reconstructive surgery. Rather than allowing the injury to define him, he used the experience to become mentally stronger and return as a better version of himself. Parker’s leadership comes through his work ethic, positivity and willingness to be an example for others. He has maintained High Honor Roll throughout high school, competed at the state level in National History Day and completed more than 40 hours of community service. Through every obstacle, Parker has continued to move forward with determination and optimism. His resilience and ability to inspire those around him make him a true Heart of a Giant.”

The nominee with the most votes will be named that week’s finalist. At the conclusion of the six-week process, there will be a total of 11 honorees (six weekly finalists and five honorable mentions) recognized for their work ethic and character. Each finalist will receive a $1,000.00 equipment grant for their high school football program, with the grand-prize winner earning an additional $9,000.00 grant for their school and being honored on the field at a future Giants game this season.

Selection of the grand-prize winner will be based on video submissions explaining why they have the Heart of a Giant. Other nominees are: Omar Areche, Yonkers High School; Jason Bocio, Hackensack High School; Jack DeVito, Dumont High School; Dominick Esposito, Hackettstown High School; Tommy Henehan, Butler High School; Charlie Ingrassia, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School; Armita Mojazza, Woodlands High School; Nicolas Salvati, North Branford High School; and Kamdyn Scovil, Saranac Lake High School. For more information, visit https://usafootball.com/heart-of-a-giant.