Senate Concurrent Resolution 541

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SUPER BOWL LIV FOOTBALL CHAMPION KANSAS CITY CHIEF LINEBACKER DAMIEN WILSON FROM GLOSTER, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Super Bowl LIV featured nine players with Mississippi connections, five with the Kansas City Chiefs and four with the San Francisco 49ers, including linebacker Damien Wilson from Gloster, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Damien Wilson attended Amite County High School in Liberty, Mississippi, where he was a teammate of Gabe Jackson. He accepted a scholarship from Alcorn State University, but transferred to Jones County Junior College after his freshman season; and

WHEREAS, as a sophomore safety he was named the Region 23 Defensive MVP, after ranking fourth in the nation with 122 tackles (six for loss), two sacks and two passes defensed. As a sophomore, he registered 119 tackles (10.5 for loss). At the end of the year, he transferred to the University of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, the Dallas Cowboys selected Wilson in the fourth round (127th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the 13th linebacker selected in 2015. On May 28, 2015, the Dallas Cowboys signed Wilson to a four-year multimillion contract; and

WHEREAS, the coaches decided to make Wilson learn all three linebacker positions in training camp. On special teams, he tied for the team lead in tackles, nine with Kyle Wilber and Jeff Heath. As a rookie, he registered a total of sixteen tackles. Against the New Orleans Saints, he saw extensive play and performed well, replacing an injured Andrew Gachkar. He played the season mostly on special teams and finished tied for the team lead with nine tackles on special teams. In 2016, he suffered a serious offseason injury. In week six of the season, he passed Kyle Wilber on the depth chart and went on to start five games at strong-side linebacker. He posted 35 tackles (four for loss). In 2017, he began the season as the backup at strongside linebacker, before passing Wilber on the depth chart in the seventh game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He tallied 39 tackles (eleventh on the team), five quarterback hurries, one sack and seven special teams tackles (sixth on the team); and

WHEREAS, on March 14, 2019, Wilson signed a two-year, multimillion contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Wilson was instrumental in Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs where they defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a professional Mississippi football player who has brought honor to his school, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Super Bowl LIV Football Champion Kansas City Chief Linebacker Damien Wilson from Gloster, Mississippi, on the occasion of "Damien Wilson Day" at Amite County High School, and extend to Damien and his family our best wishes for continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Damien Wilson, forwarded to Amite County High School, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.