Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association Announce Twenty-Two College Football Players Named to the 2008 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®

Article by Chris D

10/04/2008 – NORTHBROOK, Ill.

A lot more than a month into the 2008 college football season, the off-the-field achievements of a pick group of dedicated and difficult-working players have distinguished them from among the more than 50,000 student-athletes competing in the sport. To honor these players and bring awareness to their selfless deeds, Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) have announced the 22 student-athletes chosen for the 2008 Allstate/AFCA Very good Works Teams.

The 22 college football players awarded this prestigious honor had been selected by a special selection committee from the 71 nominations submitted by sports data directors on behalf of their teams. The two 11-member teams — one composed of players competing in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) and a combined team representing the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III and the NAIA — honor players that embody the true spirit of “teamwork” and “giving back” by means of selfless contributions and commendable acts of kindness.

This is the 17th consecutive season the Allstate/AFCA Great Works Teams have been selected, and the first that Allstate has partnered with the AFCA to present the awards. Newly elected member of the College Football Hall of Fame and former Notre Dame head football coach Lou Holtz will serve as the spokesperson for the 2008 Allstate/AFCA Good Works Teams.

“Allstate is proud to partner with the AFCA to highlight the extraordinary efforts of these student- athletes,” said Lisa Cochrane, vice president of marketing for Allstate. “Giving back to our communities is a value Allstate holds dear, and having the chance to recognize these young men for the service they’ve provided off the field is an honor for us.”

Throughout a time when off-the-field transgressions appear to dominate the news headlines, these players have quietly created a favorable impression on the organizations and folks with which they are involved. From donating bone marrow to rescuing young children from an overturned bus, the positive impact that these players have made and continue to make on their communities can be measured by far more than just touchdowns, tackles, and receptions.

“These 22 student-athletes represent thousands of college football players who make a distinction in their communities by way of volunteer service on campus and in their hometowns,” said AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff. “We’re proud to join Allstate in recognizing these young men and women who are dedicated to enhancing the world in which we live.”

Allstate has assembled a high-profile voting panel produced up of previous Very good Works Team® members, which includes former University of Mississippi running back Deuce McAllister and former University of Georgia lineman Matt Stinchcomb, as well as prominent college football media personalities, such as ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit and CBSSports.com’s Dennis Dodd, to elect this year’s teams. Also a component of the selection committee are existing AFCA president and University of Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham, 1996 AFCA president and former head coach at the United States Air Force Academy Fisher DeBerry, and Allstate senior vice president Steve Sorenson.

In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and AFCA, each and every player need to be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining great academic standing. Candidates need to also display sincere concern and reliability, although also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Neither athletic capability nor on-the-field achievements are amongst the selection criteria.

The following players have been selected to the 2008 Allstate/AFCA Excellent Works Teams:

Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A)Name Cl. Pos. School HometownKeegan Herring Sr. RB Arizona State University Peoria, Ariz.Re’quan Boyette Sr. RB Duke University Wilson, N.C.Brit Miller Sr. LB University of Illinois Decatur, Ill.Tim Masthay Sr. P/K University of Kentucky Murray, Ky.Jordan Steffy Sr. QB University of Maryland Leola, Pa.Matt Simon Sr. WR Northern Illinois University Farmington, Minn.Eric Peterman Sr. WR Northwestern University Sherman, Ill.Gerald McCoy So. DT University of Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Okla.Colt McCoy Jr. QB University of Texas Tuscola, TexasBrian Duncan So. LB Texas Tech University Baton Rouge, La.Tito Gonzales Sr. WR West Virginia University Tampa, Fla.

Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III, and NAIAName Cl. Pos. School HometownDaniel Bocanegra Sr. WR University of Albany Daly City, Calif.Andrew Berry Sr. CB Harvard University Bel Air, Md.Nick Finley Sr. DE Henderson State University Malvern, Ark.Phil Davignon Sr. OT Hillsdale College Ypsilanti, Mich.Colin Dow Sr. OL University of Montana Billings, Mont.Tyler Roehl Sr. RB North Dakota State University West Fargo, N.D.Michael Van Portfliet So. DB University of Northern Colorado Parker, Colo.Rocky Horn Jr. WR St. Cloud State University Melrose, Minn.Mikkel Haugen Sr. RB University of St. Thomas Kenyon, Minn.Tyler Brantley Sr. DB Sewanee: The University of the South Danielsville, Ga.Larry Warner Sr. RB Southern Illinois University Vicksburg, Miss.

About the Allstate/AFCA Very good Works Teams

Mikkel Haugen gave the University of St. Thomas its record 11th straight selection to the 2008 Allstate/AFCA Good Works Teams, tying the University of Georgia and the University of Nebraska for most selections all-time. Institutions that had student athletes named to the team for the 1st time included the University of Albany, Harvard University, Henderson State University, Hillsdale College, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, University of Northern Colorado, Northern Illinois University, St. Cloud State University and Sewanee.

The Allstate/AFCA Good Works Teams were established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts produced by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in will need.

Because 1992, the SEC leads all conferences with 50 selections to the Great Works Team®, followed by the Huge 12 with 35 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 20 selections. Former Allstate/AFCA Good Works Teams members contain Super Bowl XLII and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning, respectively, Vince Young, Daunte Culpepper and Tom Zbikowski.

About AllstateThe Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You are In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to assist people in approximately 17 million households safeguard what they have these days and far better prepare for tomorrow. Buyers can access Allstate goods and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance by way of approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in choose states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively by means of independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group supplies life insurance, supplemental accident and well being insurance, annuity, banking and retirement goods created for individual, institutional and worksite buyers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers. Clients can also access data about Allstate Financial Group goods and services at myallstatefinancial.com.

About AFCAThe American Football Coaches Association was founded in 1922 and currently has far more than 10,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, AFCA was formed, in component, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “present a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”

Contact:

Raleigh FloydAllstate Media Relations847-402-7891rflad@allstate.com

Christopher GoodnightTaylor704-548-8556cgoodnight@taylorpr.com

Vince ThompsonAFCA Media Relations254-754-9900vince@afca.comFor far more information check out Allstate Insurance Digital Newsroom

About the Author

Chris D is an advocate for Allstate Insurance.