Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and former Buckeyes defensive back Jaylen McClain have been named among the nominees for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, an honor that spotlights college football athletes and coaches who excel in community service, academic achievement and on‑field performance.
A Personal Mission Rooted in Loss
Day’s commitment to mental health is deeply personal; the coach has spoken openly about losing his father to suicide early in life. That experience has driven him and his wife Nina to create significant philanthropic programs aimed at early intervention and resilience building for children.
The Nina and Ryan Day Resilience Fund, seeded with a $1 million donation to The Ohio State University, focuses on research that identifies risk factors for mental illness and cultivates coping strategies. In partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Kids Mental Health Foundation, the couple also launched the Christina and Ryan Day Fund for Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Wellness.
Classroom Outreach and the Day Time Break Initiative
Through the Kids Mental Health Foundation, the Days introduced a "Day Time Break" curriculum kit that equips classrooms with tools to teach stress management and emotional wellness. All 6,000 students in the Manchester School District received these kits, marking a direct impact on a sizable public‑school population.
At a recent appearance at The Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire, Ryan and Nina Day discussed their work with the foundation, emphasizing the importance of early conversation around mental health and the role of schools in fostering supportive environments.
Youth Empowerment on the Field
McClain founded the Everyday Legends Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and strengthening underserved communities. His inaugural Jaylen McClain Youth Football Camp blended skill development with lessons in leadership and confidence, drawing participation from dozens of young athletes.
Beyond the camp, McClain has been active in seasonal outreach, organizing holiday toy drives and Thanksgiving turkey donation initiatives that provide tangible support to families in need.
The 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be announced in September and will feature 22 student‑athletes plus one honorary head coach. One standout participant will be named team captain and receive the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, awarded for exemplary community service.
The recognition extends beyond Day and McClain; former OSU running back TreVeyon Henderson, current quarterback Julian Sayin and safety Caleb Downs contributed recorded messages encouraging kids to discuss mental health openly, amplifying the movement’s reach across the Buckeyes community.