Senate Concurrent Resolution 577

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LATE VERNON BIGGS, ALL-AMERICAN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN WHO PLAYED IN THE 1973 SUPER BOWL, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS POSTHUMOUS INDUCTION INTO THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2002.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2002 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features the posthumous induction of Vernon Biggs, the superb defensive lineman who was an All-American for the Jackson State Tigers from 1961-1965 and played in the 1973 Super Bowl for the Washington Redskins; and

WHEREAS, his sports career is a matter of record: Moss Point native who was one of Mississippi's best defensive ends; played for Moss Point High School, Jackson State, and NFL teams with the New York Jets and Washington Redskins; All-SWAC and All-America player who was a four-year starter for the Jackson State Tigers from 1961-1965; played in the 1965 Chicago All-Star game against NFL Champion Cleveland Browns; third round draft choice of the AFL's New York Jets and coached by NFL Hall of Famer Weeb Ewbank; teammate of MSHOF member Larry Grantham and NFL Hall of Fame players QB Joe Namath and WR Don Maynard; starter on the defensive line for the Jets from 1965-1970; member of Jets World Championship team that defeated the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in 1969; named to the All-AFL team from 1965-1969 and played in AFL All-Star games in 1967, 1968 and 1969; signed with George Allen's "Over the Hill Gang" at Washington in 1971 and started for the Redskins from 1971-1975; made the All-AFL team in 1972; member of 1973 Super Bowl VII Washington Redskin squad that lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins by a 14-7 score; retired after 1975 due to knee injury; inducted into the Jackson State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding 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 the late Vernon Biggs, All-American Defensive Lineman, Jackson State University, who played in the 1973 Super Bowl, upon the occasion of his posthumous induction into the 40th Anniversary Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2002, and wish his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Vernon Biggs at induction ceremonies to be held on April 19, 2002, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.