Allstate and AFCA Name 162 College Football Players for Good Works Team — Allstate Insurance Company

Event summary

Allstate and AFCA named 162 student-athletes as nominees for the 2026 Good Works Team, recognizing leadership in community service, academics, and athletics.
For the first time in the program's 35-year history, a female student-athlete, Gianna Bennett from Northwestern College, is among the nominees.
Nominees are supporting causes ranging from maternal health to veterans' support, with notable initiatives including raising $18.8 million for childhood cancer research and delivering over 10,000 hours of tutoring.
The Big Ten leads all conferences with 21 nominees, followed by the ACC with 16.
The final team of 22 student-athletes and one honorary head coach will be announced in September.

The big picture

Allstate's partnership with AFCA underscores the insurance company's strategic focus on empowering young leaders through community service. The program highlights a growing trend in collegiate athletics where student-athletes are increasingly leveraging their platforms for social impact, aligning with broader industry shifts towards corporate social responsibility and youth empowerment.

What we're watching

Impact of Female Nomination: Whether the inclusion of a female nominee will influence future diversity in the program and broader college football community service initiatives.
Scale of Community Impact: The pace at which these nominees can sustain or expand their community service efforts beyond their college careers.
Corporate Social Responsibility: How Allstate's longstanding commitment to supporting student-athletes aligns with its broader corporate social responsibility goals and public perception.