Oklahoma Sooners fourth-year head coach Brent Venables and senior defensive back Robert Spears-Jenning were named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team watch list on Thursday.
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sports.yahoo.comThis marks the second preseason off-field recognition for Spears-Jenning, who was also nominated for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy in July.
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soonerswire.usatoday.comThe honor underscores their commitment to community service beyond athletic achievements.The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association to recognize college football players and support staff for extra efforts off the field.
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sports.yahoo.comAFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997, continuing to honor individuals who go above and beyond for those in need.Allstate has presented the award since 2008.
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afca.comThe SEC leads all conferences with 89 selections since 1992, reflecting its strong emphasis on community engagement.
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sports.yahoo.comVenables, hired as OU's head coach in December 2021, has prioritized player development both academically and personally.He established the SOUL Mission program to support student-athletes, now led by Caleb Kelly, Vince Carter, and Lorenda Holston.
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sports.yahoo.comHis focus on preparing players for life after football aligns with the AFCA's mission of recognizing holistic contributions.Spears-Jenning has emerged as a leader on OU's defense following the departure of Billy Bowman to the NFL.He was selected to represent the program at SEC Media Days and aims to build on his 2024 season.
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soonerswire.usatoday.comHis nomination highlights the growing importance of community service in collegiate athletics, a trend seen across conferences with notable examples like Blake Corum and Ladd McConkey, who have also made significant impacts through charitable work.
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afca.comThe AFCA's recognition extends beyond individual efforts, celebrating collective impact.For instance, Will Shipley of Clemson established the 1 CLEM5ON endowment to support student-athletes, while Juan Velarde of North Carolina Central has volunteered extensively in his community.
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afca.comThese stories exemplify how student-athletes balance academic excellence with civic responsibility.The 2023 Good Works Team included 22 players and one head coach, selected from 136 nominees.Notable members like Blake Corum, who organized a turkey drive for underserved families, and Ladd McConkey, who donated $100,000 to an educational nonprofit, demonstrate the diverse ways athletes contribute.
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afca.comThe award's emphasis on community service reflects broader shifts in collegiate athletics toward valuing character alongside competition.For Oklahoma, the nominations of Venables and Spears-Jenning underscore the program's commitment to this dual focus.As the SEC continues to dominate selections since 1992, it reinforces the importance of off-field contributions in shaping college football's legacy.
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sports.yahoo.comThese recognitions not only highlight individual efforts but also set a standard for future student-athletes to emulate.
