JCU football player earns national award for community service

David Porter, JCU defensive lineman, celebrates his Allstate AFCA Good Works Team trophy at a surprise event on Oct. 29.

On Oct. 29, a large group gathered at John Carroll University (JCU) to surprise defensive lineman David Porter with an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® trophy—a national award and a prestigious off-the-field honor.

Porter arrived at Don Shula Stadium under the assumption that he was attending a typical football practice in preparation for the weekend’s game against Muskingum University. Shortly after the team warm-up, however, Coach Tom Arth asked the team to take a knee as representatives from Allstate and JCU; the Blue Streaks mascot, Lobo; and family [and] friends all stormed the field to surprise Porter.

The event was orchestrated to present Porter with his Allstate AFCA Good Works Team trophy, honoring his outstanding community service involvement. Coach Arth kicked off the surprise with a few words about Porter’s strong leadership on and off the field, and Richard Prude, local Allstate agency owner, presented Porter with his trophy. Mike Cleary, emeritus executive director of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, was also present.

Porter is one of 22 college football players from across the country to be named to the 2015 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He is the first-ever JCU Blue Streak to be named to the team in the award’s 24-year history.

Andrea Simon

Andrea Simon is a representative for Allstate’s AFCA Good Works Team program.

Read More on Sports
Volume 8, Issue 12, Posted 12:49 PM, 11.02.2015