A son's love, a mother's fight: What inspires Grant Haley in quest to stick with NY Giants

Art Stapleton | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Odell Beckham Jr. appreciated teammates celebrating new deal NY Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. talks about how happy he was to feel the appreciation from teammates who celebrated his new contract.

EAST RUTHERFORD — Grant Haley fell in love with the grind long ago.

There were no exceptions growing up in his family. His parents' rules for their three children were simple: commit to something and refuse to let anything stop the pursuit of that goal, regardless of the challenges that will undoubtedly emerge along the way.

It's part of the reason Grant never missed a day of high school, or that he and his two siblings were required to read for an hour a day, and there were no video games or television in the Haley home, and especially not during the week.

The focus was school and sports, faith and family.

This was how Dr. Carla Neal-Haley and Dr. Leon Haley Jr. prepared Grant, their oldest, for the road ahead.

And it's why Grant, in his quest to stick with the New York Giants, refuses to allow the emotions involved with his mom's personal health battle slow him down.

Instead, Carla Neal-Haley's fight against liver disease is his inspiration.

"Honestly, her fight is what drives me now," Haley told NorthJersey.com and USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey earlier this week. "From when I started playing the game of football until now, she's been the biggest part of my support system. I think she missed, what, two games of my entire college career, and she was battling, working, traveling back and forth, and nothing stopped her. So that mindset she instilled in me – everyone is going through something that you don't know about, and for you to be able to accept it and still find happiness in life. The mindset she has – she's going through a lot, but she wakes up every morning with a smile on her face, it's what we do. It's the only way I know how."

Five years ago, Carla was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic disease that slowly damages the bile ducts. She is seeking a living donor while continuing to work as a pediatrician and a doctor of internal medicine in the Atlanta area.

STAPLETON: Why Giants invested $95 million in Odell Beckham Jr. and what's next

ODELL BECKHAM JR: It's all about Super Bowls, Hall of Fame and my legacy now

SAQUON BARKLEY: Rookie running back gives Big Blue a reason to dream big

All the while with dad Leon Haley in Jacksonville, Fla. as vice president for health affairs at the University of Florida and the dean of the UF College of Medicine.

Family and friends have created a Facebook page to help promote awareness with the hope of finding a donor (@liverforcarla). Those interested in joining the cause to help Carla or others by potentially donating a portion of his/her liver, email DonateLiveLiver@gmail.com.

"She has her own private practice, and she doesn't know how to slow down," Haley said. "In the month that I was home training before coming back [to the Giants for training camp], I'd watch her, and she'd get up and out of the house by 8 a.m., and she wouldn't be home until 10 at night. This is a process that tests your patience, just waiting to see if a donor becomes available, but my mom, she's a special person. She always talks about not letting other factors dictate your circumstances, and that's what I live up to."

Grant Haley has certainly displayed Carla's fighting spirit as an undrafted rookie with the Giants. At 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, the former Penn State star cornerback and special teams ace announced his presence in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns with a third-quarter tackle of fellow rookie running back Nick Chubb for a 1-yard loss.

Haley has proven he has the talent and make-up to handle duties in the slot at nickel corner as well as on the outside, which is where he has gotten most of his work this summer.

Teammates with Saquon Barkley at Penn State and now with the Giants, Haley has impressed in his own way. He's very good in coverage and uses his quickness and smarts to his advantage, making up for his relatively slight frame that opponents will try to use to his detriment.

The Giants love his competitive edge and the resiliency he has shown in being able to respond to adversity both in games and in practice as he adapts to the NFL game.

"He’s a competitive guy. He’s tough, and he plays very hard," Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. "I think he’s made improvements. I think that’s what you like to see from a young man."

Haley, 22, is squarely in contention for a roster spot heading into Thursday night's preseason finale against the New England Patriots. The Giants have given Haley opportunities with the second-team defense throughout camp, and his presence on special teams is a plus.

"Has Grant Haley done enough to make this team?" Haley said, repeating a question that admittedly is on his mind as the Giants head into the final hours of their preseason. "Grant Haley is doing everything he can, every single snap, every single play. The preseason's flown by and every single practice matters, and now this final game. I know the starters probably aren't going to play much, so I have to take advantage of every rep I can."

Haley has given himself the best chance to stick with the Giants on the 53-man roster to this point. His anticipated expanded role against the Patriots could be what convinces team brass that he belongs, whether that is on this active roster or that of another team, and if not on the Giants' practice squad.

"This is my NFL life right now," Haley said with a smile. "It's gonna be tough sometimes, and it's how you respond. That's what our parents always taught us. My mom's fight, it's in the back of my mind, it's in my heart daily, but also she's my motivation to be the best I can be."

Email: stapleton@northjersey.com

Giants’ Saquon Barkley talks perceived rivalry with Jets’ Sam Darnold Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley talks about his perceived rivalry with Jets quarterback Sam Darnold

ELI MANNING: Giants' quarterback answers Jalen Ramsey's criticism: 'Who?'

LOCAL: NFL gives 'once in a lifetime' gift to boy who lost his dad

OLIVIER VERNON: How NY Giants will try to replace the irreplaceable on their defense