In a remarkable honor for both his on-field prowess and off-field dedication, Kentucky senior outside linebacker J.J. Weaver has been named one of a record-breaking 178 nominees for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, the organization announced today.
This year’s nominees champion a variety of causes, including mental health awareness, youth mentorship, hunger relief, and domestic abuse prevention. To be considered, each player must not only engage actively with a charitable organization or service group but also maintain strong academic standing.
Weaver, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, is set to be a veteran leader for the Wildcats’ defense this season. Last year, the two-year team captain tallied 45 tackles and ranked second on the team in tackles for loss (TFLs) with 8.5 and second in sacks with 7.0.
Equally impressive is Weaver’s work off the field. Born with polydactyly, a condition where a person has more than five fingers or toes, Weaver faced bullying and ridicule in grade school. However, his real challenges came during his collegiate years. From July 2020 to August 2021, Weaver endured the murder of his father, a season-ending knee injury, and the loss of his high school football coach to cancer.
Grief and anger began to take over his life, leading to noticeable changes in his behavior. After being confronted by then-head athletic trainer Gabe Amponsah and having a heart-to-heart with head coach Mark Stoops, who had experienced similar loss, Weaver agreed to seek counseling. This decision proved transformative, inspiring Weaver to become an outspoken advocate for mental health.
In the fall of 2023, with assistance from the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, Weaver launched an 8-week peer-led grief counseling group at the University of Kentucky, the first of its kind on campus, called “The Perfect Fit Support Group.” Thanks to Weaver’s efforts, the group received a $40,000 grant from Women in Philanthropy and will be available to all UK students starting in the fall of 2024.
This spring, Weaver attended the “Supporting Children and Teens Through Loss” event at the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, where he spoke about his experiences and participated in a drum circle with the children. In June, he attended the 2024 Annual Symposium on Children’s Grief in Denver, Colorado, hosted by the National Alliance for Children’s Grief, sharing his story and his work at UK.
Weaver has also hosted free football camps and bike drives, further cementing his commitment to community service.
Weaver graduated in December 2023 with a degree in community leadership and development and is currently pursuing a second degree in family science with a minor in communication.
The final roster of 23 award recipients will be announced in September, comprising 11 players from the NCAA FBS, 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and one honorary head coach. A voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches, and journalists will select the members, focusing on exceptional leadership on and off the football field.
The SEC leads all conferences with 84 selections to the Good Works Team since its inception in 1992, with Georgia at the forefront with 22 honorees, followed by Kentucky with 17.
Additionally, Allstate has partnered with the Wuerffel Foundation to recognize the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient. Only FBS players elected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team are eligible for this honor, which replaces the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy will honor a student-athlete who is inspired to serve others and make a positive impact on society.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s premier award for community service, is awarded annually to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Danny Wuerffel, the award recognizes his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity.
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be announced on The Home Depot/ESPN College Football Awards Show in December. Kentucky’s Courtney Love won the coveted Wuerffel Trophy in 2017.
