AUBURN, Ala. – On the field, Derrick Brown is one of the top returning defensive lineman in the SEC. But the rising junior was recognized for his efforts off the field Tuesday as one of the 169 nominees for the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
The student-athletes who are nominated for this award not only demonstrate a unique dedication to community service and desire to make a positive impact on the lives around them, but they also show tremendous perseverance as well as the ability to overcome personal struggles and come out victorious against all odds.
"Each nominee has an inspiring story to tell – often times about how they have prevailed over hardships and adversity only to turn around and pour their hearts into helping others," said David Prendergast, president of the Eastern Territory at Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2018 voting panel.
"It is our privilege at Allstate to come together with the AFCA for the 11th consecutive year to shine a light on these exceptional nominees who set the highest standards of community service and serve as role models for generations to come."
Brown has represented Auburn at the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council for football the past two years, and he's also made SEC Academic Honor Roll both years he's been on campus while studying in the College of Business. In May, he accompanied a group of his teammates on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.
"The biggest thing to me (from the trip) was how blessed we are," Brown said. "We live in a place that's got endless opportunity. These people in the Dominican Republic, they're living without anything and they're surviving and they are happy."
A special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and prominent college football media members will review submissions from sports directors across the nation to select the 2018 Good Works Team. Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member, will once again headline the voting panel.
The final roster of 22 award recipients and honorary head coach will be unveiled in September.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf