House Concurrent Resolution 67

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY "BRAVES" FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING ITS 16TH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP, AND FOR AN OUTSTANDING 2018 FOOTBALL SEASON.

WHEREAS, as the five-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) East Division champions, the Alcorn State University "Braves" Football Team reigned supreme once again during the 2018 season, winning its 16th conference championship in school history and its third in the last five years; and

WHEREAS, the Braves, who had a superior season that was driven by more than just the yearning to succeed, intensely amplified all of their hard work, motivation and audacity, which were so apparent all through the season, for the game that ultimately separated the men from the boys to edge out the competition and collect the SWAC Football Championship; and

WHEREAS, this past season, Alcorn State became the first-ever institution to host a SWAC Championship game, and also the first school to play in five consecutive SWAC title games, and it dominated the All-Conference teams and won three of the individual awards, and of the league-leading 12 All-Conference honorees from Alcorn, 10 were named to the First-Team, and it was the most First-Team selections for the Braves since 1977; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to excellence, the Braves had six HBCU All-Americans including three offensive linemen, finished the season at No. 2 in the HBCU Poll, received 127 votes in the FCS Top-25, and won 10 SWAC Player of the Week awards for the second straight year; and

WHEREAS, the Braves, who played with nothing but heart and soul all season, have a very talented and distinguished roster, and each player made a substantial contribution that led to one of the most historic seasons in the history of the Braves Football Program; and

WHEREAS, the team's statistics were impressive this season, and there were outstanding performances by individual players, but the key to the team's remarkable success has been the constant team atmosphere and year-round hard work by the following talented student-athletes: Daylon Burks, Felix Harper, De'Shawn Waller, P.J. Simmons, Charles Hughes, Tavares Johnson, Tim McNair Jr., Nigel Wood, Dayall Harris, Chris Blair, Thaddeus Peyton, Noah Johnson, Calvontay Key, Keyron Kinsler Jr., Juan Anthony Jr., Jyron Russell, Leishaun Ealey, Corey McCullough, Treon Patrick, Allen Bruce, Alonzo Nelson, Taurence Wilson, Marquise Forman, Jonathon Bolton, Isiah Thomas, Quintin Smith, Daniel Franklin, Brady Smith, Johnathon Hauer, Jaaron Jackson, Makenzie Black, Qwynnterrio Cole, Josias Jean, Alvin Wilson, Nichel Herron, Roberto Aguirre, Terry Whittington, Creo Argue Jr., Draylon McDonald, Trae Ferrell, Jalen Thomas, Daimen Anderson, Kevon Marsh, Bralon Robinson, Javen Morrison, Matthew Stewart, Trey Turner, Brelion Hollis, Solomon Muhammad James, Darrell Henderson, Wanya Morris, Kwanzi Jackson, Sterling Shippy, Michael Ajumobi, Malik Holbert, Daquan Smith, Theron Bonds, Chris Monroe, Kevin Hall, Pablo Williams Jr., Franklin Smith, Joshua Brown, Jemar Nunley, Columbus Willis, Aurelius Hardy, Darius Smith, Will Ready, Chris McCrea, Deonte Brooks, Darius Davis, Mustaffa Ibrahim, Joseph Milburn, William Gordon, Delshun Bradwell, Hakeim Warren, Raidarious Anderson, LeCharles Pringle, Corbin Johnson, Jerimiah Green, Andre Martin, Kyontez Everett, Brandon Campbell, Demetrius Lewis, Jaquaveon Boles, Blake Thomas, Myshawn Smith, Kenneth Hagans, Derrian Meminger, Matt Davis, Dejon Richardson, Keegan Hudson and Cornell Gilmore; and

WHEREAS, throughout their season of play, the Braves faced off with some of the state's best contenders on the gridiron, but persevered to make their presence and talent known as gladiators of football; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Fred McNair has superbly coached and tremendously inspired the Braves and broadened their knowledge of the game while refining their skills in execution, and he continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member, as evidenced in his ability to produce high caliber players and plays and by the team's successful season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as the Alcorn State University "Braves" Football Team, whose hard work and perseverance brings honor to their school, their 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 recognize and commend the Alcorn State University "Braves" Football Team upon their outstanding 2018 season, and extend to them best wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Fred McNair and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.