Kind-hearted college football player GIVES his scholarship to a teammate who worked multiple jobs and even donated his own PLASMA in desperate attempt to pay for college

A college football player has given his scholarship to a teammate who went to great lengths to put himself through school - even selling his own plasma in an attempt to raise money for tuition. 

Zack Conti, a senior at Eastern Michigan University, had been struggling to pay his way through college by working various small jobs and even donating his plasma. 

However, the student soon got the surprise of a lifetime when his teammate and friend, Brian Dooley, gave up his own scholarship for Zack after seeing him work hard both on and off the field. 

Brian said that seeing Zack give 100 per cent to everything he did motivated him, and showed him that his friend needed it much more than he did. 

Zack Conti, a senior at Eastern Michigan University, had been struggling to pay his way through college by working various small jobs and even donating his plasma 

However, the student soon got the surprise of a lifetime when his teammate and friend, Brian Dooley, gave up his own scholarship for Zack after seeing him struggle

Zack, a Michigan native, joined the football team as a walk-on in 2019, which meant that he wasn't on a scholarship and had to pay for his expenses out-of-pocket. 

On top of the stress of school and finances, Zack had been dealing with a family  issue as his mom, Karen, was in desperate need of a kidney donor. So, to make ends meet, Zack began to work various jobs and even donated his plasma.   

'Football is something I really love, so ever since I got to school, I've had to do whatever it takes to stay here and stay in a good position with academics and football and everything. 

'So I work a landscaping job and I rip out carpets and I demo tile floors whenever I'm not working or not doing football or going to school. 

'It's been a grind my whole life but, I mean, when you really want something, it's like you do what you need to do to keep it going,' Zack said in a video shared by the University to ABC News. 

And his hard work and determination didn't go unnoticed by his coach and teammates. 

Speaking about his friend, Brian said: 'He does a lot more than just football... being a walk-on he's got to make up a lot of money. Putting that kind of work in on and off the field pushed me harder.'

Zack's last year of college became exceedingly difficult and he began contemplating quitting the team because he could no longer pay his bills. 

Brian said that seeing Zack give 100 per cent to everything he did motivated him, and showed him that his friend needed it much more than he did 

Zack's last year of college became exceedingly difficult and he began contemplating quitting the team because he could no longer pay his bills 

And although he was afraid to ask his teammates for help, he knew they were aware of the situation. 

The athlete said: 'Sometimes asking for help is not easy, but the team usually would see me coming back from work or going to work and they would know what's going on. 

'It wasn't really hard to be open to them about anything because I know they've got my back.' 

However, when Brian heard that his friend was debating quitting the team, he stepped in to help. He decided to give his full-ride scholarship to Zack, who will be able to use the money for the rest of his senior year and for graduate school. 

Brian said: 'The [offensive]-line brotherhood is something that is hard to break. We have each other's back. That's why I wanted to get Zack's back. 

Brian told their coach, Chris Creighton, (pictured) that he wanted to give his scholarship to Zack because he has 'earned it'

'If Zack wasn't here, I'd give it to somebody else too. If somebody is working that hard and they deserve a scholarship, I want to give it to them.' 

Brian and their coach, Chris Creighton, surprised Zack with the scholarship at a team meeting. 

Chris said Brian came into his office and said he wanted to hand his scholarship over because Zack has 'earned it.' Chris was shocked by the heartwarming gesture. 

At the meeting, Brian gave Zack the envelope and the whole team came together and cheered for him. 

Zack said the feeling was incredible, adding: 'It just felt unbelievable, like I felt like my hard work has paid off.

'I can't really describe it. You work this hard for this long and you just hope a day like this comes where it's like you're finally rewarded. It was a great feeling.'