Carson-Newman’s Byron Bell named to 2011 AFCA Good Works Team

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Carson-Newman senior defensive end and Knoxville West High School product Byron Bell has been named to the 2011 AFCA Good Works Team, the AFCA and Allstate announced on Tuesday.

Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE:ALL) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 22 student-athletes named to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, one of the most prestigious off-the field honors in college football. For 20 years the award has recognized a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities.

[RELATED: Vote for Bell as captain of the AFCA Good Works Team]

Bell has excelled on the field for the Eagles in his four seasons as a Carson-Newman Eagles, but it has been his work on campus and in the community that have defined him to fellow members of the Eagle football team and on the C-N campus. He has a 3.1 GPA and is working toward a double major in Business Administration and Biblical Leadership.

The senior has been an active member of the C-N and local communities throughout his career. He has served as president of the Carson-Newman Fellowship of Christian Athletes for two years.

The senior has worked with underprivileged children locally and throughout the U.S. he volunteered for the Luke 14 Banquet, which is a local carnival for special needs children. He also worked a summer counselor at Kids Across America, in Golden, Miss. which is a summer camp for kids from urban areas. Bell went on an American football teaching mission trip to Israel and has taken a mission trip to South

In addition to serving, Bell's creative side has led him to start on campus service organizations including C-N Compassion, which reaches out to those in the community who need help with physical labor. He has also helped with the Carson-Newman campus beautification program, participated in a team project repairing schools in Cocke County in 2009, gave away Thanksgiving meals to families in need, has spoken about bully prevention at local schools. He also is a tutor on the C-N campus.

On the field, Bell has the Eagles off to a 2-1 start. He recorded two sacks in C-N's 56-7 win over Fayetteville State on Sept. 8 and is a preseason All-South Atlantic Conference selection at defensive end. Last season, the 6-1, 230-pound Bell started 10 games for the Eagles in 2010. He recorded 42 tackles, including 10 for a loss, and 6.5 sacks for a unit that ranked second in the conference in scoring defense and rushing defense.