WVU's Greene Selected for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and Named Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on September 19, 2024
This year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was selected from a record 178 nominees, representing players and coaches from colleges and universities across the country for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, announced later this year, is presented to one of the 11 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players elected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
This marks the fifth West Virginia University student-athlete named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, including Mike Booth, (defensive end, 1993), David Mayfield (defensive back, 1994), Eric de Groh (center, 1995) and Tito Gonzales (wide receiver, 2008). Mountaineer head coach Neal Brown was named the honorary coach for the team in 2020.
"Each year, I'm inspired by the way these young men use their gifts to make a positive impact on their communities," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, 2009 Good Works Team member and 2008 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient. "I'm once again honored to help celebrate this award and the outstanding work it highlights."
Members of this year's team include:
Garrett Greene, Quarterback, West Virginia University: Greene actively gives back to the community, visiting children in local hospitals, raising funds for cancer patients, and assisting veterans.
Chase Griffin, Quarterback, University of California, Los Angeles: Griffin founded a foundation to tackle food insecurity among youth, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Malaki Starks, Defensive Back, University of Georgia: Starks hosted a football camp for at-risk youth in Atlanta and is a regular presence in Clark County schools.
Dean Janikowski, Kicker, Washington State University: Janikowski honors his late mother raising funds to support cancer patients, including calling on fans to pledge donations for each field goal and extra point he makes.
The full roster of the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and their stories of community service can be found at ESPN.com/Allstate.
"The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team represents the power of achieving for your community," said Sam Acho, ESPN analyst, author, and 2010 Good Works Team member and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient. "These honorees have accomplished so much in a short amount of time. I hope this award will encourage them to continue to realize the joy in serving others."
The 23 award recipients bring together:
- 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
- 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
- 1 honorary head coach
"The Good Works Team embodies Allstate's work to improve communities," said Troy Hawkes, Allstate executive vice president and general manager. "We're inspired by these award recipients and the positive impact they are having on so many people."
All members are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists who look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field.
"It is amazing to see the extra efforts and community service these 22 young men put out on a daily basis," said Craig Bohl, AFCA executive director. "Not to be outdone, our honorary head coach Marcus Freeman shows that you can still give back and help your community even when you are the head coach of an FBS program like Notre Dame. I congratulate Coach Freeman and these 22 student-athletes for making the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team."
Throughout the season, fans can join the conversation using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels to help others learn more about these players and their stories.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier award for community service, is presented to one of the 11 FBS players elected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Danny Wuerffel, the award honors the former NFL quarterback's commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world.
"Seeing the incredible effort the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has committed through hundreds of service hours to benefit their communities, starting nonprofit foundations, and hosting fundraising events, is truly inspiring," said Wuerffel. "We are excited to see which of these incredible servant leaders will be named the 20th anniversary recipient of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy this year."
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by a national voting committee, including a fan vote component. The 2024 recipient, who will also be recognized as the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain, will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 12, airing on ESPN.
Fans can cast their vote by November 15 at ESPN.com/Allstate.