Bill Text: MS HC49 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Derick Hall; commend Gulfport native's contribution to Seattle's Super Bowl win.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2026-03-17 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC49 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HC49-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Hulum, Estrada, Haney
House Concurrent Resolution 49
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING DERICK HALL UPON A SUCCESSFUL SEASON WITH THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AND BECOMING A SUPER BOWL LX CHAMPION.
WHEREAS, from Gulfport, Mississippi, to Auburn, Alabama, and now the NFL, Derick Hall was not just an underdog on the field, he was an underdog before he took his first breath; and
WHEREAS, born premature at only 23 and 1/2 weeks, under three pounds and with no heartbeat, Derick Hall faced seemingly insurmountable challenges from the moment he took his first breath at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the doctors placed Derick on life support, telling his mother, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, that they were 99% sure he would not survive his first night; and
WHEREAS, on that first night and every night after during Derick's many months in the hospital, Stacy held on to that one percent of hope, bolstered by the power of prayer and the support of her village of family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Derick not only survived - he continued to defy the odds at every milestone, and despite being given a one percent chance of walking and talking, Derick barreled over those hurdles with his mother's constant encouragement, love and care; and
WHEREAS, from walking to running, jumping and tackling, Derick lettered in three sports at Gulfport High School - track, basketball and football - setting the record in the school's top 10 best times in the 100 and 200-meter relays, 300-meter hurdles, and long jump and earning a four-star football recruit rating by ESPN; and
WHEREAS, a prolific college athlete, Derick was a three-year starter, standout linebacker and edge rusher at Auburn University and was named to the all-SEC team in 2021 and 2022; and
WHEREAS, Derick shined both on and off the football field during his college years, and when his neighbors in Jackson, Mississippi, suffered a water main break in 2022, he used his name, image and likeness earnings to help send five 18-wheelers filled with water, food and supplies to the city; and
WHEREAS, a testament to his commitment to his community, Derick was named a 2022 Jason Witten Man of the Year semifinalist and the National Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award winner in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Derick defied the odds once again in 2023 when he was drafted to join the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League, making him one of the only 1.6% of college players to reach the professional level of football; and
WHEREAS, determined to give back to his village that nurtured his growth, Derick founded the Derick Hall One Percent Foundation with his mother, whose strength and tenacity has always inspired him; and
WHEREAS, the foundation focuses on causes that are close to Derick's heart, including supporting premature babies and their families, combating food insecurity, and addressing childhood obesity in underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, Derick's story is an inspiration to his own teammates, and when Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II became a father to a premature baby girl, Derick sent him pictures of himself as a newborn who had been given next to no chance to live, reminding his teammate to keep going and fighting even when hardships seem impossible to overcome; and
WHEREAS, from a 2 pound 9 ounce premature baby to a 6 foot 3 inch linebacker, Derick is at the top of his game, and at only 24 years old, he has become one of the rare few to earn the title of Super Bowl champion; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle linebacker played a key role as the Seahawks reigned victorious against the New England Patriots 29-13 in the NFL title decider, claiming two sacks in a dominant defensive display; and
WHEREAS, Sunday, February 8, 2026, will be marked in the annals of sports and Mississippi history, as one of the country's greatest linebackers ever to take the field, and one of Mississippi's most notable sport's icons, Derick Hall, along with the entire Seattle Seahawks team, displayed extraordinary athletic prowess and refined skills of execution to win Super Bowl LX; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to join the fans of professional football in recognizing a football star who has never forgotten his home state and has brought honor to the Gulfport community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Derick Hall, upon a successful season with the Seattle Seahawks and becoming a Super Bowl LX Champion, and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Derick Hall and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
