Kirlew named to 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Oct. 7, 2009
Indiana defensive end Jammie Kirlew earned a spot on the 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, honoring dedicated and hard-working student-athletes for their off-the-field achievements and selfless contributions to their communities. Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 22 student-athletes chosen for the prestigious honor on Sept. 22.
"Jammie is one of the most talented young men I have had the privilege to coach," IU Head Coach Bill Lynch said. "He represents Indiana University in a first-class manner and sets a terrific example both on and off the field. We are very proud he has received this honor."
Photo by Mike Dickbernd
Indiana defensive end Jammie Kirlew works with a child from the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington.
Kirlew has embraced the student-athlete experience in his time at IU. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Kirlew has given much of his free time to the community. He is active in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program and has volunteered his time at the Bloomington Boys and Girls Club.
Additionally, he volunteered for President Barack Obama's campaign, helping to register voters for the 2008 Presidential Election. The Orlando, Fla., native also took advantage of IU's study abroad program, spending the summer of 2006 in Italy.
Kirlew is also one of 30 NCAA football student-athletes tabbed as a candidate for the 2009 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior in the Football Bowl Subdivision and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence -- classroom, character, community and competition.
On the field, he has helped the Hoosiers jump out to just the 14th 3-0 start in school history. Kirlew appears on the Ted Hendricks, Chuck Bednarik and Rotary Lombardi Award Watch Lists, and is a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophey. He has moved into third on IU's tackles for loss career list (43.5) and jumped into fifth on the career sacks chart (19).
This summer a record 106 players were nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team 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. 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.
