LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky football player Jimmy Carter has been named to the 1998 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team. The AFCA Good Works Team honors student-athletes who show exceptional dedication to community service and to the betterment of the communities in which they live.
The senior punter was one of just 11 Division I-A players chosen for this prestigious award.
Carter, a four-year starter for the Cats, is also a four-year volunteer in UK’s mentor program for local elementary school students, in which he promotes individual responsibility and academic success. To further these causes, Carter also speaks at area schools on a regular basis.
The Dunwoody, Ga., native has served as an organizer for UK’s “Schoolhouse Rock” academic pep rally for 2,000 local fourth- and fifth-grade students, and has been a volunteer at the UK Children’s Hospital. For two years, Carter has served as president of UK’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has shared his faith during numerous appearances at area churches and youth group gatherings.
This is not the first time Carter has been honored for his deeds, as he was named a “Peach of an Athlete” for his service and for being a role model for youth by the Atlanta Area Council of Boy Scouts after the 1997 campaign.
After learning of the award, Carter said, “I really think my success at Kentucky is not measured by awards won or plaques on a wall, but by the lives touched while I’m here. I’m honored by this award and thank God for the opportunity to play here.”
Coach Hal Mumme was pleased to hear of Carter’s honor, but was not surprised.
“Jimmy Carter embodies what you want in a student-athlete,” Mumme said. “He’s been great on the field and has been a great role model off the field as well.”
Joining Carter on the Good Works Team are: Steve Bratten of Kansas, Miami Hurricane Nate Brooks, Tennessee’s Jeff Hall, Wisconsin’s Cecil Martin, Dat Nguyen of Texas A&M, Montae Reagor of Texas Tech, Georgia Bulldog Matt Stinchcomb, Kevin Ward of Cincinnati, Georgia Tech’s Charles Wiley, and Texas’s Ricky Williams.
Carter is the third Wildcat to be named to the Good Works Team, as Leon Smith made the squad in 1994 and Kurt Supe followed in 1996.
“The Good Works Team attempts to recognize those student-athletes who go above and beyond in service to others,” AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said. “The AFCA is proud to honor those who have made a positive impact in their communities.”
