Picking the Sports Mount Rushmore for all 50 states

Mississippi

Mississippi’s Mount Rushmore features three football players and a very famous baseball player who never played in the major leagues.

Archie Manning is the patriarch of the legendary Manning family. Archie starred for Ole Miss and his son Eli went on to do the same. Even after Manning left for the NFL, he remained an influential figure in the state of Mississippi.

Cool Papa Bell was one of the Negro Baseball League’s greatest stars. A consistent draw no matter which team he played for, he was rumored to be the fastest baseball player ever. The stories of his speed are legendary. It is sad that he never got to play in the major leagues, because it sure would have been fun to watch him compete against some of the game’s more well-known legends.

Steve McNair was famous for playing for the Tennessee Titans, but many people forget that he got his start in Mississippi. McNair went to Alcorn State, where he was one of the best players in college football. He also grew up in Mississippi. McNair’s brother Fred is the head football coach at Alcorn State.

Walter Payton, like McNair, grew up in Mississippi and also went to college in Mississippi. He attended Jackson State University. Payton set numerous records at Jackson State. He might be best remembered for his time with the Chicago Bears, but don’t forget that he got his start in Mississippi.

Next: Missouri