NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS – Few awards in college football look beyond a player’s statistics to recognize excellence and achievement in places where touchdowns and interceptions do not matter. Today, Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 22 student-athletes chosen for the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football.
Kingsville senior safety DeIra Glover (Hempstead/Hempstead HS) became the first Javelina to be honored with the award and he was predictably humbled by the honor. “My heart kind of skipped a beat when Coach (Bo Atterberry) let me know because it is just a blessing where God has taken me and it is a great honor,” said Glover.
A total of 112 players across all collegiate levels of the sport were nominated for the award by sports information directors on behalf of their teams, the most ever in the 19-year history of the program. From the nominations, a special selection committee named 22 college football players from across the country to the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. Of the two 11-member teams, one includes players competing in the NCAA® Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) and the other is a combined team representing the NCAA® Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III, and the NAIA.
“Allstate’s partnership with the AFCA to present this award is not about X’s and O’s,” said Guy Hill, vice president of sales and service for Allstate, who also served on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel. “By shining a spotlight on college football student-athletes who demonstrate a unique commitment to serving their communities, we are protecting the integrity of the sport and showcasing its positive impact that extends well beyond the field of play.”
Glover has been actively involved on campus and in the community ever since arriving in Kingsville in 2006. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and guest speaker. He is a two-year member of the A&M-Kingsville Student Athlete Advisory Council and has been involved in the yearly Toys for Tots campaign and Canned Food Drive for the local Kingsville Food Pantry. He meets with children every year at the Driscoll Children’s Hospital to sign autographs and give away presents. He speaks regularly at the local elementary schools and Boys and Girls Club about the importance of staying Drug Free. He has also been involved with the Kingsville Trash off, Habitat for Humanity, Josh Fest, Take A Kid to the Game, The Day of the Young Child, The Bigger Event, Relay for Life, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
The following players have been selected to the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams®:
Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A)
Name Cl. Pos. School Hometown
Riley Nelson Jr. QB Brigham Young Logan, Utah
Bryan Morgan Sr. OL Duke Hoover, Ala.
Christian Ponder Sr. QB Florida State Colleyville, Texas
Ben Chappell Sr. QB Indiana Bloomington, Ind.
Kirk Cousins Jr. QB Michigan State Holland, Mich.
Adam Kiel Jr. OL Northern Illinois Wentzville, Mo.
Corbin Bryant Sr. DL Northwestern Chicago
Quinton Carter Sr. DB Oklahoma Las Vegas
Stefen Wisniewski Sr. OL Penn State Bridgeville, Pa.
Amara Kamara Sr. LB Temple Newark, N.J.
Sam Acho Sr. DL Texas Dallas
Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III, and NAIA
Name Cl. Pos. School Hometown
Diego Oquendo Sr. DB Augustana (S.D.) Staten Island, N.Y.
Matt Fraley Sr. DL Central Methodist St. Robert, Mo.
Jordan Lancaster Sr. OL Charleston Southern Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
Madison McCalmon Sr. OL Cumberlands (Ky.) Ringgold, Ga.
John Behm Jr. LB Davidson Cleveland
Dan Prindle Jr. OL Dayton Fairborn, Ohio
Siddiq Haynes Sr. DL Delaware Durham, N.C.
Billy Clark Sr. OL Lindenwood West Palm Beach, Fla.
Brandon Johnson Sr. DB Tarleton State Giddings, Texas
DeIra Glover Sr. DB Texas A&M – Kingsville Hempstead, Texas
Patrick Mengelkoch Sr. TE Wisconsin – Stout Champlin, Minn.
While on-field heroics may capture the attention of college football fans and media, it is the commitment to service and volunteerism demonstrated by these 22 players that truly represents what is good about the game. These student-athletes have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of others, from serving on medical mission trips to Africa, to befriending elderly community members, to supporting cancer research initiatives. In doing so, they are serving to protect the image of a sport beloved by thousands of fans across the country.
“Reading about all the community service activities and off the field accomplishments of the 22 members of this year’s Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® is humbling,” said Grant Teaff, AFCA Executive Director. “Even at a young age, they get what is really important in life, and they represent thousands of college football players across the nation that are doing the same things on campus and in their hometowns. We’re proud to join Allstate in recognizing these outstanding student-athletes.”
For the first time in the program’s history, fans will be able to vote for a Team Captain by visiting ESPN.com and searching “Good Works.” The Team Captain will be recognized by ESPN personality and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® national ambassador Lou Holtz during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The site also features profiles of the award recipients and their selfless acts of kindness.
Allstate assembled a high-profile voting panel made up of previous Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members, including former University of Georgia lineman Matt Stinchcomb and former Tulane University running back Mewelde Moore, as well as prominent college football media personalities, including ESPN analyst Lou Holtz, ESPN.com writer Pat Forde and USA Today college sports editor Tom O’Toole. Also part of the selection committee are current AFCA president and University of Mount Union head coach Larry Kehres, 1996 AFCA president and former head coach at the United States Air Force Academy Fisher DeBerry, and Allstate vice president Guy Hill.
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