Fifth-year captain Christo Kelly of the Holy Cross football team is one of 22 student-athletes across all of college football to be selected to the 2024 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team, as announced by the AFCA on Tuesday, Sept. 17. 

The list of 22 student-athletes represents 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), in addition to one honorary head coach. 

Kelly is the first Crusader to be honored since Tyler Zeoli in 2014. 

This year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was selected from a record 178 nominees, representing players and coaches from colleges and universities across the country for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. 

The full roster of the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and their stories of community service can be found at ESPN.com/Allstate.

Kelly is the co-president of the Holy Cross Student-Athlete Advisory Committee this fall after serving as SAAC vice president last year. He served an instrumental role in the opening of the Student-Athlete Nutrition Station, in addition to spearheading a number of other initiatives. 

He is the co-founder of the Holy Cross chapter of Uplifting Athletes, which raises funds and awareness for the rare disease community. He collaborated with the national organization to develop and implement new initiatives and has helped lead the team's annual "Lift For Life" event. 

"Being able to represent Holy Cross, it's special," Kelly said. "It's such an honor to be recognized for something like this, since there are so many people in this school that have done such a great job, too. And while it's me being recognized, it's a product of the people around me — my mom, my dad, all of my teammates, especially [senior quarterback] Joe Pesansky. Whether it's Uplifting Athletes, SAAC, Be The Match, it's us doing this together." 

Kelly previously served as the co-chair and marketing strategist for the Holy Cross chapter of Cures for Kids. He led fundraising efforts and engaged in student outreach to promote awareness for pediatric cancer, helping coordinate a successful Color Run charity event. 

With the Holy Cross football team, Kelly is a leader in the team's community service initiatives, including the program's work with Team IMPACT and Be The Match. 

"Over the last three years, Christo has been a champion ambassador for the student-athletes representing the football team in SAAC," said Aaron Dashiell, Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Development. "Starting as a member, Christo's vocal leadership has landed him as one of our co-presidents. I would describe Christo as a connector and mobilizer. When he decides to champion a cause, there is no halfway for him — he goes all out. He's exhibited that with his work with Uplifting Athletes, Be The Match bone marrow registration and the implementation of the Student-Athlete Nutrition Station."

Kelly has started all three games at center this year for the Crusaders. In 2023, Kelly started 10 games at center, anchoring an offensive line that ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense (third, 264.2 yards per game), total offense (fourth, 466.6 yards per game) and scoring offense (sixth, 36.9 points per game). Academically, Kelly owns a 3.57 cumulative grade-point average and was an Academic All-District honoree in 2023. He is a four-time Patriot League Academic Roll selection.

"The Holy Cross football family is incredibly proud of all the great work Christo has done in the classroom and on the field of competition, but without question, his biggest impact has been felt on our campus and in the city of Worcester," said Holy Cross football head coach Dan Curran. "He truly embodies the mission and values of the College, and I can't think of another individual more deserving of this honor."

Kelly and the Crusaders return to action with a Family Weekend matchup against Yale on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Fitton Field. 

ABOUT THE AFCA ALLSTATE GOOD WORKS TEAM
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 89 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 55 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 43 selections. Georgia is in first place with 24 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky and Bethel (Minn.) with 18 honorees. Super Bowl XLII, XLVI and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams, respectively.

ABOUT HOLY CROSS
The College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts — the second-largest city in New England — is among the nation's leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 3,100 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition, and is one of only 85 colleges in America that meets 100% of students' demonstrated financial need. Holy Cross has made a positive impact in society since its founding in 1843 by graduating students who distinguish themselves as thoughtful leaders in business, professional and civic life.

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