WASHINGTON -- Democrats newly elected to the U.S. House elected Dallas' Colin Allred as co-president of their freshman class on Wednesday.

Allred, a lawyer and former NFL football player, toppled longtime Rep. Pete Sessions in a major upset three weeks ago. He was class president at Hillcrest High School, too.

"I guess it's similar. It's similarly with no power, more about trying to make sure people have somebody that they can talk to, if they want to have events or get to know their colleagues better. It's really is more of a collaborative thing than a defined role," he said before the vote Wednesday afternoon.

He and congressman-elect Haley Stevens of Michigan teamed up to seek the co-presidency of the 66-member Democratic freshman class, the biggest wave of Democratic newcomers since Watergate.

"It's really more [of] a ceremonial role," Allred said. "Welcome in the new folks, schedule bipartisan events. Just find a way for people to meet and form relationships."

The post may be ceremonial but it also reflects the high regard of their colleagues, and it elevates their profile.

Stevens won an open seat in a suburban Detroit district that had been in GOP hands, defeating a former state co-chair of the Trump campaign. Like Allred, she was not enthusiastic about returning Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California to the post of speaker.

Also like Allred, she served in the Obama administration.

Congratulations to my friends and incoming Co-Presidents of the freshman class, @ColinAllredTX & @HaleyLive. I look forward to working with you both. https://t.co/z2Z0kB6tI8 — Steny Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) November 29, 2018

Allred served in the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of General Counsel, under then-Secretary Julián Castro -- whose twin brother, Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, was elected five years ago as co-president of his own Democratic freshman class.

Stevens worked as chief of staff for the Auto Task Force inside of the Treasury Department. She also helped to set up the Office of Recovery for Automotive Communities and Workers, and the White House Office of Manufacturing Policy.

"As two former Obama Administration officials who won in competitive 'red to blue' districts ... we believe we can provide the appropriate leadership and perspective necessary for this role," they wrote in a letter to colleagues. "While Freshman Class President is not traditionally a policy-making role, strengthening the togetherness and unity of our class will improve our ability to solve problems in Washington and better serve our constituents."

"It's whatever you make of it," Allred said in the hallway outside the freshman class meeting at which he would soon be elected. "Our intention is to make sure that we are promoting the ideas and new leadership and diversity of this class. We want to make sure that we have a voice, that it's listened to."

Allred was among the last Democrats to publicly commit support to Pelosi in her bid for speaker. She won overwhelmingly earlier Wednesday afternoon, with 32 lawmakers voting against her.

That could be enough to cause trouble when the vote goes to the House floor, where she can only afford to lose 17 Democrats to avert a second round of balloting.

He joined an effort by dozens of freshmen that won assurances of greater access to House leaders and to prime committee assignments.