MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson, Johnson, Hickman, Thomas, Butler, Simmons (13th), Brumfield, Turner-Ford, Jordan, Barnett, Rhodes, Norwood, Blount, England, Berry, Hill, Frazier, Simmons (12th), Sparks, Ladner
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SIX PLAYERS AND COACHES WITH STATE OF MISSISSIPPI CONNECTIONS AT SUPER BOWL LVIII BETWEEN THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AND THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS.
WHEREAS, when the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers met in Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, the teams' roster had five players and a coach from the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, all-pro defensive lineman for the Chiefs, Chris Jones, and all-pro cornerback for the 49ers, Charvarius Ward, highlighted the athletes representing the Magnolia State on the world's biggest football stage; and
WHEREAS, former Mississippi State star Chris Jones has spent the 2023 season tormenting offensive lines for Kansas City. The defensive tackle registered 10.5 sacks this season. He is joined on the Chiefs by Willie Gay, Jr., who played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Gay, who missed the AFC Championship Game due to an injury, had 58 tackles, three fumble recoveries and an interception this season; and
WHEREAS, Chris Jones, a Houston, Mississippi, native; linebacker Willie Gay, Jr., a Starkville, Mississippi, native; and linebacker Darius Harris, a Horn Lake, Mississippi, native all played in a second-straight Super Bowl victory with Kansas City; and
WHEREAS, Charvarius Ward, a McComb, Mississippi, native, and Darrel Luter, Jr., a Hattiesburg, Mississippi, native, play on the 49ers. Ward has also played in his second Super Bowl triumph, having received a ring as a member of the Chiefs team that won the Super Bowl in 2019. Ward later moved on to Hinds Community College and Middle Tennessee State. He's had an outstanding season for the 49ers, with five interceptions, doubling his previous career total. Luter, a rookie, was is in his first Super Bowl in just his first year in the league. He played at the junior college level for Pearl River before moving on to South Alabama. He's played in seven games as a rookie this season; and
WHEREAS, the Chiefs' roster also includes Horn Lake player Darius Harris. The linebacker, who played his college football at Middle Tennessee State, has appeared in five games this season; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Todd Pinkston was hired as the running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Pinkston became a Super Bowl Champion when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII. At The University of Southern Mississippi, Todd Pinkston graduated as the school's second all-time leading receiver with 149 catches for 2,366 yards and 22 touchdowns, including 48 receptions for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. He was inducted into the Southern Miss Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, and he was inducted into the Scott County Sports Hall of Fame in his hometown of Forest, Mississippi, in 2015; and
WHEREAS, former Mississippi State baseball player Brad Freeman has been an NFL referee since 2014, and he was selected as part of the Super Bowl LVIII crew. The Oxford native served as the back judge in the final and most important game of the 2023-2024 season. Mississippians continue to make their mark on NFL history, especially when it comes to officiating; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi has a legacy of professional football excellence, and it is with great pride that we commend these stars who well-represented Mississippi at Super Bowl LVIII. We join their families, former communities and schools in commending these professionals who have brought honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the six players and coaches with State of Mississippi connections at Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, and extend the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to these six Super Bowl stars and their families, forwarded to the athletic directors of their alma maters and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of High Learning, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.