Vernon football player Dennis Welling nominated for Heart of a Giant Award

Vernon Township High School offensive lineman Dennis Welling has been nominated for the Week 4 round of the USA Football Heart of a Giant Award, presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants.

The award recognizes Tri-State area high school football players and other student participants for their work ethic, character, teamwork and dedication on and off the field.

Welling, a two-year starter, has overcome personal challenges while remaining committed to his team. As a foster child, he has moved between homes and arranged his own transportation to practices, weightlifting sessions and team activities.

When his team needed help on the offensive line, Welling moved from a skill position to fill the role, putting the team’s needs ahead of his own comfort. He also serves as a role model for younger players, volunteers as a youth football coach and participates in Key Club.

Welling has earned First Team All-League honors while maintaining a 3.0 grade-point average. Football, according to his nomination, has provided him with a sense of stability, family and belonging.

Voting for Week 4 nominees is open through Oct. 18. The nominee receiving the most votes will become that week’s finalist. Voting is available at usafootball.com/heart-of-a-giant/vote.

The program will recognize 11 honorees at the conclusion of its six-week process: six weekly finalists and five honorable mentions. Each finalist will receive a $1,000 equipment grant for their high school football program.

The grand prize winner will receive an additional $9,000 grant for the school and be honored on the field at a future Giants game this season. The winner will be selected based on video submissions explaining why the nominee embodies the Heart of a Giant.

Now in its 13th consecutive year, the program has expanded to recognize high school tackle football players, flag football athletes, student managers and student mascots across the Tri-State area.