On Saturdays in college football stadiums all across the country fans witness amateur athletes participating in one of the most violent sports in the world.
Too often, every other day of the week, fans turn on the television or open up the newspaper and read about these same athletes in trouble with the law. Bad judgement off the field of play is too commonly synonymous with college football players.
While the exposure of the good teams, and the bad, can easily be categorized under that "over" label, unfortunately rarely do the truly good guys get much coverage.
Quietly the 2008 Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team was announced on Wednesday and with game day on Saturday quickly approaching, the achievements of these players honored will soon be an afterthought.
The aptly named award recognizes 22 college football players, 11 from the FBS and 11 from the Subdivision, who not only embody a commitment to success and teamwork on the field, but off the field as well.
Keegan Herring Sr. RB Arizona State University
Herring's traumatic loss of his father, best friend, sister, and aunt last year has been well-documented. Despite these tragic events in this young man's life, he's remained positive and found additional ways in which to inspire not only the community of Tempe, AZ, but the entire college football community.
Herring regularly speaks with seventh and eighth grade students in Tempe-area middle schools about life's road blocks and how to surmount them. His confidence in himself is evident as he shares with students how to create their own self-confidence.
Additionally Herring spent time this past summer with children at the Thomas J. Pappas School in Phoenix, an alternative school for homeless children, helping them realize the value of education, physically and mentally.
Re'quan Boyette Sr. RB Duke University
The Duke running back initially began his community service in 2006, acting as a "Big Brother" to a student in the Durham area. Boyette still remains in contact with this student and one can only imagine the impact he's had.
Boyette regularly volunteers at two nursing homes in Durham, visiting a few times a week to simply spend time with the residents.
Boyette gives his time to the young and old alike, participating in the Read With the Blue Devils program, visiting local elementary schools stressing the importance of reading.
Brit Miller Sr. LB University of Illinois
Over the course of Miller's four years at U.I., he has participated in countless programs and benefits to encourage children's physical health, creativity, and to emphasize the value of education.
This year he organized the football team's supply drive for a local children's home and joined the M.S. Walk in support of teammate Ryan McDonald, whose mother suffers from M.S.
Miller regularly volunteers time out of his week to volunteer at the Danville Medical Center, spending time with hospitalized veterans.
Tim Masthay Sr. P/K University of Kentucky
Masthay one day hopes to serve in the Peace Corps in Africa, but he got a head start on this service this past May when he traveled to Ghana to help educate students and help paint a school.









34 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete