December 15, 1999
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN'S JOHN KEITH NAMED TO 1999
DIVISION I-AA COACHES' ALL-AMERICA TEAM

GREENVILLE -- Furman University free safety John Keith has been named to the 1999 Burger King Division I-AA Coaches' All-America Team, it was announced today.

Keith, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound product of Newnan, Ga., joins Georgia Southern running back Adrian Peterson as one of two Southern Conference players named to the 25-member team, which was selected in voting by the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA).

"It's only fitting that the best defensive player in the Southern Conference be named All-America," said Furman head coach Bobby Johnson on Wednesday. "John was a major factor in our successful, championship season, and his ability as a player and as a leader was recognized by opposing coaches, so that makes this a very special award for him."

A consensus Southern Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Year selection by league head coaches and media, Keith paced Furman with 132 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, and five pass deflections. A two-time league defensive player-of-the-week selection, he helped lead Furman to a 9-3 record, Southern Conference championship, and appearance in the NCAA I-AA playoffs. Included in the Paladins' season was a 28-3 win over North Carolina.

Keith is the 11th Furman player to garner AFCA All-America honors since the organization first named a I-AA All-America team in 1979.