July 17, 2012

University of Memphis senior linebacker Akeem Davis is one of 117 college football players to be nominated for the 2012 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team®. The Award recognizes the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service made by college football student-athletes across the nation.

During his playing career at Memphis, Davis' volunteerism and community service has been extensive.

He has participated in multiple Dr. Seuss Read Across America Days, reading to children at local elementary schools. He has also participated throughout his career in the Athletic Life Skills department's Read to Succeed program. During the past school year he volunteered each week at Hanley Elementary where he tutored fifth graders to prepare them for TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program) achievement tests.

During the 2011 season he was instrumental in having the football coaching staff and team wear pink wristbands and socks for Breast Cancer Awareness during the Tigers' Oct. 15 game against ECU. The coordination of the team's efforts was very close to Davis' heart as his mother died of cancer during the 2010 season.

Davis has also been an annual participant in the Dr. Martin Luther King National Day of Service event at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, joining other U of M student-athletes in leading tours of the museum as well as assisting guests that come to the museum on MLK Day. Last fall he also served as a volunteer at the Children's Museum of Memphis, leading tours around the museum and doing interactive projects with kids.

He is also active in his church, First Baptist Broad Avenue Church, conducting bible study and giving tours to church members of a new church currently under construction.

Davis is currently pursuing a master's degree at the U of M after receiving his bachelor's degree in December, 2011.

He was selected a defensive captain by his teammates following a junior season in which he ranked second on the team in tackles. He registered 78 tackles in 2011, including 57 solo stops while playing all 12 games primarily at nickel back. He led the team with three interceptions and had eight tackles for lost yards during the season.

Since 1992 the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has shown a spotlight on the countless "good works" and remarkable stories of service by student-athletes at all levels of college football competition. Award recipients represent the sport's finest in terms of character and leadership in the community.

"After looking through the list of nominees for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, we are recognizing some of the best student-athletes in all of college football," said AFCA executive director Grant Teaff. "These 117 nominees understand the impact each of them has on their schools and communities, and it gives me great pleasure in recognizing their efforts for what they stand for and what they mean to college football."

From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select two, 11-player Good Works Teams® - one comprised of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, III and the NAIA. The final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September.

In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining a strong academic standing.

On Tuesday, many Memphis fans had an opportunity to hear visit Davis speak during a kickoff event held at the Holiday Inn located on campus.

He will represent the University of Memphis next week in Dallas at the 2012 Conference USA Football Kickoff event.

The Tigers open the 2012 season Sept. 1 when they play host to UT-Martin. Season tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.