July 18, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky senior center Max Godby has been named one of 182 nominees to the 2014 Allstate AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) Good Works Team®, which is the top college football honor for recognizing outstanding community service achievements.
For 23 years the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has served as one of the most coveted and prestigious off-the-field honors in college football. The award recognizes players whose charitable involvement and community service contributions stand out among all other student-athletes participating in the sport. Today, Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced a record-breaking 182 nominees from across the country who represent the sport’s finest in the areas of volunteerism and leadership among their peers.
Since its establishment in 1992, the award has existed to pay tribute to the “good” in college football that extends beyond the wins and the losses. While balancing academics and athletics, this select group of student-athletes nominated by their respective colleges and universities has committed their limited free time to having a lasting impact on their communities.
Comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA, the final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September. From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select the 2014 Good Works Team.®
Once the final team members are announced in September, fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain.
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
Godby currently leads the UK football team with more than 180 hours of community service, including creating and developing a project with the help of Catholic Action Center called Bucks for Backpacks. The program provides 150 homeless men and women in Lexington, Ky., with a backpack filled with items essential for survival and dignity. Godby worked to get the items donated to fill the backpacks and distributed them to the homeless.
The native of Louisville, Ky., has also participated in numerous events for the UK Christian Student Fellowship and has done speaking and/or service events at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Veterans Hospital, Franklin County High School, Bracken County High School, Bullitt East High School, Rosa Parks Elementary, Lexington Christian Academy, Christian Academy of Louisville, Athletes in Action, Salvation Army, God’s Pantry, Lakewood Baptist, Turning Point Church, Centenary Church, the All-A Classic Soccer Tournament, Chapel Bible study, Consolidated Baptist Church, FCA/AAU Basketball Tournament, Lindsey Wilson College, Special Olympics, UK Athletics Back-to-School Picnic, UK Women’s Football Clinic, middle school track meet and Beaumont Middle School. Godby co-led a tornado relief effort for the city of Joplin, Mo., and the Haiti Food Drive, while volunteering on campus for Big Blue U, helping incoming freshman move into their dorm rooms. He has also volunteered for God’s Pantry BackPack Program and helped make blankets for the UK Children’s Hospital Blanket Project.
Godby received a notable honor when he was named to the UK Athletics Society of Character, which honors Wildcats who have shown extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, athletic participation, personal development, career preparation and serving as a role model. The senior was also a teacher’s assistant for UK’s College of Communication in the fall of 2013, where he not only helped grade tests and homework but acted as a mentor for more than 60 students.
Godby, who is a three-year member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, came to campus as a walk-on in the fall of 2010 and was rewarded with a scholarship last season by head coach Mark Stoops. In 2013, Godby earned significant playing time, including his first start vs. Florida and helped three UK players rush for 400 yards or more for the first time since 1986. He serves as both the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative and UK’s SAAC representative, where he is responsible for setting up team study hall hours, coordinating team community service activities and serving as a liaison between the team and the UK Athletics Department.
