Each year, USA Football, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), and the New York Giants team up to honor high school student athletes across the Tri-State area for their dedication to service with the Heart of a Giant Award: a prestigious honor given to players, managers, and mascots who show endless “commitment, character, teamwork, and will” both on and off the gridiron. LHS’s very own Omarion McClean was not only nominated for the award, but through the continued support of the Lynbrook community, was selected as a finalist. With this, Omarion was granted the privilege of attending the NY Giants matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 10, where he received on-field and locker-room access, along with a tour of the Giants Hall of Fame.
Senior AJ Berkowitz attended the game with McClean and felt nothing but pride for his lifelong teammate and friend: “I have known Omarion since middle school, which is where we started playing football together…[He] is the most selfless man I have ever met and deserves the world.” Berkowitz was also not short on words when asked why McClean deserved his spot as a finalist. “He is most deserving of being a finalist because of his selflessness. [He] has gone through so much in his life, but I’ve never heard him complain or seen him without a smile on his face. He does everything to the best of his ability and is always kind to others,” said Berkowitz.
Varsity football coach David Yaker also had high praise for McClean and his continued efforts to elevate those around him. “Omarion embodies the spirit of the Heart of a Giant award more than any player I have had in my 29 years of coaching, and he is the first player that I have ever put up for the award,” said Yaker. McClean was awarded with the title of team captain this year, and Yaker had no regrets about assigning him the role. “[He] was the consummate captain…He was always looking to improve his own game, but never for the sake of the personal accolade, only so that the team may get better,” said Yaker.
As a young person who was diagnosed with ADHD, McClean says he knows the struggles of feeling isolated because of it. Embodying the true spirit of the award, McClean believes that he was not doing this for himself, but to give a voice to those like him. “I want to be the voice that kids with ADHD need,” Omarion explained. He added a short yet empowering message: “Just know, you aren’t alone.”
McClean was extremely humbled by the entire experience, and was not shy on giving praise to his biggest supporter: his father. “I get my ‘Heart of a Giant’ from my dad,” said McClean. “He helped me become more confident despite having ADHD. Without him, I don’t know where I’d be, and I love him so much.”
When asked about times they saw McClean’s own “Heart of a Giant,” Berkowitz and Yaker alike gave powerful examples of what it means to be “selfless” and the “consummate captain.” Berkowitz recalled the unfortunate end to his and McClean’s high school careers on the gridiron. “It was our last game together at Floral Park, and unfortunately, we were not successful. But Omarion came up to me and made sure I kept my chin high” reflected Berkowitz. “Even dealing with the same sadness, Omarion made sure the people around him were okay,” he added. Yaker, however, praised McClean’s boundless commitment to bettering himself and the team. Whether it be walking two miles to practice every morning over the summer before 7 AM or joining the team’s prestigious “1,000 Pound Club,” Yaker was beyond grateful for and proud of his commitment which he could only describe as “off the charts.”
McClean’s recognition, however, goes beyond the Heart of a Giant Award. The Nassau County Section VIII Athletics hosted the fall All County Dinner on Dec. 9. There, McClean was honored with Nassau County’s Unsung Hero Award, where he was selected from 53 applicants from across Nassau County. As the only football award that offers money towards scholarships, its importance is not to be taken lightly. When asked about this, Coach Yaker was beyond proud of McClean: “I couldn’t be more proud of this young man. Every time an obstacle arose, he broke through it with a smile on his face…The Heart of a Giant is characterized by five qualities: commitment, will, dedication, teamwork, character. Omarion has all five traits in spades.”
