This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s award for community service, named for Atlanta’s own Danny Wuerffel. The 2024 recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 12, airing on ESPN.
Wuerffel was honored, but hesitant when he was approached about the eponymous award two decades ago. Rudy Riska, director of the Heisman Trophy, who died in 2021, called Wuerffel and said college football needed an award to honor athletes who best exemplify leadership and community service, just as Wuerffel, a Heisman winner in 1996, did during his years at the University of Florida and beyond.
“At the time I’d felt like college football had too many awards, but the community service piece was intriguing,” said Wuerffel, 50. “Now I’m incredibly grateful I said yes, because the trophy has expanded into a foundation and so many people are being helped.”
Credit: DOUG PENSINGER
Credit: DOUG PENSINGER
Wuerffel’s desire to serve was ingrained in him as a child. His father was an Air Force chaplain, constantly helping and caring for others.
“When we were stationed with different people all over the world, there were often young people away from their families for the holidays and we’d always host them,” said Wuerffel. “As I grew and developed as a young man and in my own faith as a Christian, I was motivated by caring for other people. It became part of my DNA. I learned your life isn’t just about you.”
Today, as a father of three and husband to Jessica, his wife of 25 years, Wuerffel is the executive director of Desire Street Ministries, a nonprofit that revitalizes neighborhoods by encouraging and equipping leaders. Wuerffel personally mentors many leaders and partners with their organizations to help them grow and make a bigger impact on their communities.
Credit: Jason Getz
Credit: Jason Getz
“I became who I was because I had great coaching,” said Wuerffel. “There are heroes in neighborhoods who don’t have the guidance they need to be effective, so we serve them so they can thrive and become sustainable leaders. We are in the final year of a five-year goal to impact 20 neighborhoods, and we’re looking forward to the next five.”
In addition to Desire Street, and inspired by the Wuerffel Trophy, Wuerffel launched the Wuerffel Foundation in 2020 to honor and develop community service leaders, who are often current and former athletes. Mentees have included University of Georgia alum Quincy Carter, and the Falcons’ Kirk Cousins, who was a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy in 2010.
Credit: Picasa
Credit: Picasa
This year’s finalists for Wuerffel’s signature award are Nick Dawkins, offensive lineman from Penn State; Dean Janikowski, kicker from Washington State University; and Jack Kiser, linebacker from Notre Dame.
“As we celebrate 20 years of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible student-athletes who have carried the torch of service and excellence,” said Wuerffel. “This year’s finalists are true embodiments of the values we celebrate and have shown a remarkable commitment to service, education and sportsmanship.”
The recipient will also be formally honored at the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala on Feb. 1 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
To learn more about the Wuerffel Foundation, visit dannywuerffel.com.
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