ALL Allstate Corporation

Allstate AFCA Good Works Team(R) Honors Student-Athletes for Outstanding Efforts in Volunteerism and Community Service NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For a select group of college football players, the words "sacrifice" and "commitment" extend far beyond the football field to places that don't require helmets and shoulder pads. Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today have announced the 22 student-athletes chosen for the 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams , honoring dedicated and hard-working student-athletes for their off-the-field achievements and selfless contributions to their communities. This summer, a record 106 players were nominated for this prestigious honor by sports information directors on behalf of their teams, surpassing all previous single-season nominee totals since the program began in 1992. From the nominations, a special selection committee named 22 college football players from across the country to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team . 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" through commendable acts of kindness and community service. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is now in its 18th season to present the award. College Football Hall of Fame coach and ESPN personality Lou Holtz will once again serve as the spokesperson for the 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams . "Allstate has been inspired by the commitment and sacrifice these student-athletes have made to better our communities and improve the lives of our neighbors," said Lisa Cochrane, vice president of marketing for Allstate. "As a proud partner of the AFCA, we feel that it's our responsibility to shine a spotlight on these young men for the outstanding impact they've made off the field." While game-saving tackles and last-second field goals may dominate the television highlights, these 22 players have done remarkable things in their communities and changed countless lives in the process, from helping refugees in Afghanistan, to registering people to vote in the Presidential election, to befriending people stricken with disabilities. "These 22 student-athletes represent thousands of college football players who make a difference in their communities through volunteer service on campus and in their hometowns," said AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff. "We're proud to join Allstate in recognizing these young people who are dedicated to improving the world in which we live." Allstate has assembled a high-profile voting panel made up of previous 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's Lou Holtz and Kirk Herbstreit and CBSSports.com's Dennis Dodd, to elect this year's team. Also a part of the selection committee are current AFCA president and San Jose State University head coach Dick Tomey, 1996 AFCA president and former head coach at the United States Air Force Academy Fisher DeBerry, and Allstate vice president Guy Hill. In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining good academic standing. Candidates must also display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Neither athletic ability nor on-the-field achievements are among the selection criteria. The following players have been selected to the 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams : Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) Name Cl. Pos. School Hometown ---- --- ---- ------ -------- Xavier Dye Jr. WR Clemson Greenwood, S.C. Tim Tebow Sr. QB Florida Jacksonville, Fla. Jeff Owens Sr. DL Georgia Sunrise, Fla. Jammie Kirlew Sr. DL Indiana Orlando, Fla. Darrell Stuckey Sr. DB Kansas Kansas City, Kan. Zoltan Mesko Sr. P Michigan Twinsburg, Ohio Andrew Brewer Sr. WR Northwestern Tulsa, Okla. Taylor Kavanaugh Sr. WR Oregon St. Portland, Ore. Travis Jones Sr. LB San Jose St. Atascadero, Calif. Derrick Coleman So. RB UCLA Fullerton, Calif. Chris Maragos Sr. DB Wisconsin Racine, Wis. Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III, and NAIA Name Cl. Pos. School Hometown ---- --- ---- ------ -------- Joe Goldufsky Sr. DL Beloit Buffalo Grove, Ill. Reid Velo Jr. WR Bethel (Minn.) Nashwuak, Minn. David Pesek Sr. QB Colorado School of Centennial, Colo. Mines Paul Hughes Sr. LB Cumberlands (Ky.) Montezuma, Ga. Chris Owens Sr. WR Earlham Ft. Thomas, Ky. Joshua Cain Sr. DB Jacksonville St. Wetumpka, Ala. Tim Miller Sr. OL Johns Hopkins Ronkonkoma, N.Y. Richard Bowman Sr. DB North Dakota St. Houston, Texas Kevin Grayson Jr. WR Richmond Richmond, Va. Jeffrey Hilliard Sr. DB St. Thomas (Minn.) Woodbury, Minn. Jacob Rowe Jr. DL Tarleton St. Alvarado, Texas About Allstate The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate " slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via http://www.allstate.com/ and 1-800 Allstate . About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining good academic standing. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams were established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made 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 need. Allstate partnered to present the award starting with the 2008 season. Since 1992, the Southeastern Conference leads all conferences with 52 selections to the Good Works Teams , followed by the Big 12 with 36 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 22 selections. In 2009, St. Thomas, Minn. defensive back Jeffrey Hilliard became the 12th Tommie to be selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team , giving them the most selections of all time. Super Bowl XLII and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Good Works Teams , respectively. About AFCA The American Football Coaches Association was founded in 1922 and currently has 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 part, to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession" and to "provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football." DATASOURCE: Allstate CONTACT: Raleigh Floyd, Allstate Media Relations, +1-847-402-7891, ; or Vince Thompson, AFCA Media Relations, +1-254-754-9900, ; or Pete Stuart of Taylor, +1-704-409-7704, , for Allstate Web Site: hhttp://www.allstate.com

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