An NFL star surprised a Morris County high school athlete who is fighting cancer.

Giants football player Jason Pierre-Paul presented Mendham High School student Sebastian Quinn with the Heart of a Giant award. The award is presented by USA Football and Hospital for Special Surgery to athletes in the tri-state area who show work ethic and passion.

Quinn is a junior who plays on the football and wrestling teams. 

He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the eighth grade. He beat it but then relapsed.

Quinn underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant and spent moths in the hospital.

He says that he was motivated to get better by dreaming of being back with his teammates.

“During my treatment that’s all I really wanted,” he says. “To get back and play sports. So when I was able to, I was so thrilled.

Students thought they were going to attend a presentation about college when Pierre-Paul came out to present Quinn with the award.

“You’re an inspiration to everyone out here,” Pierre-Paul told Quinn. “Your classmates, your teammates, so I’m honored to be here today and continue doing what you’re doing."

Pierre-Paul also invited Quinn, his parents and his eight siblings to Sunday’s game.