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Sayville High School football player Drew Thorry is on a mission to finish what he and his dad started together back when Drew was just 7.
Nominated this fall for USA Football’s Heart of a Giant award, the senior lineman every day draws inspiration from the memory of his dad, Drew, who passed away at 41 four years ago.
“My dad was my first football coach and the best coach. He knew so much about the game, he was tough but always positive, he gave everyone a chance and he worked extra with anyone that wanted to improve,” Drew says in his bio posted at usafootball.com.
“My Dad taught us about discipline, commitment, hard work and working smart. He would light us all up like every game was for a title,” Drew continued. “We still say the prayer he taught us. Some of us wear his initials inside our helmets, my younger brother wears his over his heart.”
The Heart of a Giant award — sponsored by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants — recognizes Tri-State area high school football players who have overcome adversity and displayed commitment, character, teamwork, dedication and will.
Drew’s dad was a popular youth coach in Sayville who owned a video production company and in 2011 produced a 20-minute episode on Sayville football for an SNY series called “Traditions.” The title of the episode is “Brothers Forever.”
When his father died, Drew said “it felt like everything went dark.”
“It hasn’t been easy — at all — but I have to finish what my Dad and I started together,” he said. “Every day I go back, grind every single practice, training session, clinic, film, lift, whatever it takes — because I want to be on that field more than anything.
“I am so grateful that my Dad gave me the gift of loving this game, because the game is what gave me the unbreakable will to carry on,” Drew added.
Drew, who carries a 92.8 average in the classroom, said what he loves most about playing football is camaraderie.
“Going through your toughest challenges and pushing yourself with your friends by your side is one of the best feelings you can have,” he said. “In the locker room with the music and adrenaline pumping before a game, you line up together shoulder to shoulder with guys you have been playing football with for ten years and realize how lucky you are.”
Over the course of six weeks, individual players are nominated for the Heart of a Giant award by coaches each week.
Once all of the nominations are in, there will be 25 days to vote for finalists. One grand prize winner will be chosen via a video submission, which will then be played at a Giants’ home game.
According to USA Football, the six finalists and four honorable mention finalists will receive $1,000 for their high school’s football program, with the winner’s school getting an additional $9,000.
To vote for Drew Thorry, click here.
Photo credit: USA Football
