Vote for Lawrence’s Dave Manara to win the Heart of Gold Award

Lawrence High School senior and Golden Tornado football player Dave Manara was nominated for the USA Football’s Heart of Gold Award presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants.

The award aims to recognize Tri-State area high school football players who demonstrate unparalleled work ethic and a passion for the game. Coaches nominate players based on commitment, dedication, character, teamwork and will.

Bullied for being overweight and suffering from severe depression that had thinking of suicide in middle school, Manara turned his life around through football and weight training.

“David is like another coach on the field for us and all of his teammates look to him for his leadership and guidance on and off the field,” Lawrence head coach Jason Supple said.

USA Football reviews all nominations and selects 60 top nominees for the Heart of a Giant Award, and then enters those 60 into an online voting competition. Athletes are announced 10 per week over a six-week span.

Voting runs through Oct. 13 at 11:59 p.m. Voting can be done once every 24 hours at http://www.usafootball.com/hoagvote.