Long Island senior wins Heart of a Giant Award

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - It was anything but a typical day at Roosevelt High School on Long Island. It was a surprise as everyone was called to the auditorium. And it wasn't the pro ballplayer that brought students to their feet. They packed the room for one of their own, a shining star named Chukwuma Ukwu.

The Heart of a Giant Award recognizes tristate area high school football players who embody unrivaled work ethic and passion for the game. Ukwu learned he was the winner.

Aside from being dominant on the field, he is a true leader and role model. He has a mentoring program for youngsters in his community. And he is selfless. Leaders at the school put together a video to support him for the award.

His coach said he sat out of his team's Thanksgiving Day game to follow through on a commitment to staff a food drive at his church.

Rashad Jennings of the New York Giants presented Ukwu with the award.

Write down the name. Chukwuma Ukwu: a man on a mission, a heart of a giant.