Kentucky tight end Jacob Tamme has been named to the Good Works Team selected by the American Football Coaches Association, one of only 11 Division I-A players named to the team in honor of their community service.
?I appreciate the AFCA for its recognition,? said Tamme, a junior from Danville, Ky. ?What we?re doing here is important, but when you go into the UK Children?s Hospital, and see a child who would give anything just to put on a UK practice jersey for one day, it puts it in perspective.
?There are a lot of players on this team who are deserving (of being honored). Every time we ask (for help with a service project), there?s always enough guys to get it done. I think the guys understand how much it means to some people to meet a UK student-athlete.?
Tamme serves as outreach chairman for the Wildcat football team and has been very active in the “Cats That Care” service program during his years as a Wildcat. A sampling of his many community service efforts include numerous speaking engagements at schools; speaking at football camps and team banquets; visits to the UK Children?s Hospital and Veterans? Administration Hospital; delivering meals at St. Peter and Paul Church; participating in the American Heart Walk; and serving as a mentor at Boyle Middle School.
Football performance was not a factor for being selected to the Good Works Team. Tamme is in his second season as the starting tight end for the Wildcats. In addition, although he is only a junior in eligibility, he completed his bachelor?s degree in Integrated Strategic Communications in only three years and is working on his master?s in business administration. He is a two-year member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
UK Third All-Time on Good Works Selections: Jacob Tamme is the ninth Wildcat in school history to earn a spot on the National Good Works Team, ranking Kentucky third all-time in that category.
Nebraska is the leader among the nation?s 119 Division I-A schools with 11 honorees. Georgia is second with 10, followed by Kentucky with nine. The Good Works Team was sponsored by the College Football Association from 1992-96 and by the American Football Coaches Association from 1997-present.
Tamme joins an elite list of Wildcats who have been selected for the National Good Works Team, including Doug Pelfrey (1992), Leon Smith (1994), Kurt Supe (1996), Jimmy Carter (1998), Seth Hanson (1999), Matt Layow (2000), Antonio Hall (2002), and Antoine Huffman (2004).
All-Time Selections to the National Good Works Team, Division I-A
1. Nebraska – 11 players selected
2. Georgia – 10
3. Kentucky – 9
