By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA - Danous Estenor's heroic act has helped earn him some nice recognition.
USF's senior offensive lineman is one of 117 players from around the country to be nominated for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of college football's most prestigious off-the-field honors for a selected group that's made a difference in the community.
Estenor has been very active in the community, participating in the Pen Pal Program, USF's Stampede of Service as well as making numerous visits to children's hospitals and elementary schools. What made Estenor extra special was his actions during a scary situation on campus in 2011.
Estenor stopped by the Bulls Den Café for a quick bite to eat when he looked across the parking lot and saw a tow truck driver pinned under the rear tire of a car with three people struggling to spring him loose. The 6-foot-3, 304-pounder rushed over to help out.
"I tried to lift the car, and when I first tried, it didn't budge," Estenor told Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. "I backed up. I don't know. But I felt this energy come, and I lifted it. I don't know how, but somebody pulled him from the car."
The tow truck driver was back to work two weeks later and Estenor continued to go about his normal business, starting all 12 of USF's games last season.
"Just humble, quiet, keeps to himself," said USF head coach Skip Holtz of Estenor after his heroic act.
A select group of prominent college football media members and a voting panel of former Good Works Team members will select two 11-player squads that will be announced in September.
