REDLANDS, Calif. – University of Redlands Defensive Back Mario Jacobs (El Cajon, CA) has been nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced Tuesday.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was 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 worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
Mario, who plans to go into Law Enforcement upon graduation has been an active member in the Redlands Community taking part in the R.E.A.C.H (Read, Empower, Attain, Create, Hope) program, which brings students and faculty from the University of Redlands to the San Bernardino Central Detention and Assessment Center and RYEF-Gateway to work with and learn from those students who are in a juvenile court placement.
Along with that he also takes part in the Bulldog Reader Program, which brings volunteers to the local elementary schools to read, help, and play with the kids.
The final 22-member team and honorary coach are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists. They look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field.
_____________________________________________________________________
In addition to the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selection panel members are: Tim Tebow (Florida, 2009 team); Troy Hawkes (Executive Vice President and General Manager, Allstate Sales and Distribution); Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team); Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998); Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001); Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002); Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State, 1999); media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN); Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); and Paul Myerberg (USA Today); 2023 AFCA President and Ouachita Baptist University Head Coach Todd Knight; and 2014 AFCA President and former head coach at Ithaca College, Mike Welch.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is one of the most coveted community service awards in college football. From the 135 nominees, the final roster of 23 award recipients will bring together 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); and one honorary head coach. To be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining strong academic standing.