Senate Concurrent Resolution 543

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING HANFORD DIXON, ALL-AMERICAN AND ALL-PRO DEFENSIVE BACK FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND THE CLEVELAND BROWNS, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2005.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2005 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Hanford Dixon, All-American and All-Pro Defensive Back, who was a star for the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and the NFL's Cleveland Browns; and

WHEREAS, a native of Mobile, Alabama, and three-sport letterman at Theodore High School in Theodore, Alabama, Hanford Dixon played for Mississippi Hall of Fame member Bobby Collins at the University of Southern Mississippi from 1977-1980 and was one of the best defensive backs in the nation with the "Nasty Bunch" defense; and

WHEREAS, he was named First Team All-South and All-American by The Sporting News after his Senior season in 1980. During his college career, he had 9 interceptions and 188 tackles, 127 of which were solo stops, while leading a nationally ranked secondary that helped the Golden Eagles compile a record of 28-17-1 with an Independence Bowl victory over McNeese State and played in the 1980 Blue-Gray game and the 1981 Senior Bowl; and

WHEREAS, Hanford was a first-round draft choice by the Cleveland Browns in the 1981 NFL draft, the 22nd player selected overall, and his NFL career spanned nine seasons and 131 games from 1981-1989; and

WHEREAS, he was selected to the NFL All-Rookie team in 1981. He teamed with Frank Minnifield to form one of the NFL's finest defensive back tandems; and

WHEREAS, Hanford Dixon originated the "Dawgs" nickname for the Cleveland defenses; he was chosen as First Team All-Pro in 1986 and 1987; he played in four straight Pro Bowls from 1985-1988 and was named as NFL Alumni Defensive Back of the Year in 1987. In 1988, he was a Pro Bowl starter with his longtime teammate, Minnifield, the first time in the game's history that two cornerbacks from the same team started together; and

WHEREAS, he was a member of Brown's teams that played in three famed AFC Championship games in 1987, 1988 and 1990, and lost to John Elway's Denver Clubs; and

WHEREAS, he finished his pro career with 26 interceptions, 440 tackles and 100 passes defended; and

WHEREAS, Hanford Dixon was inducted into the Southern Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this gifted athlete who has brought honor to his university 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 Hanford Dixon, All-American and All-Pro Defensive Back for the University of Southern Mississippi and the Cleveland Browns, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2005, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Hanford Dixon at induction ceremonies and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.