MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hyde-Smith, Lee (35th), Chamberlin, Harvey, King, Kirby, Michel, Thames
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING CAROLINA PANTHERS' STARTING TIGHT END KRIS MANGUM OF MAGEE, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS APPEARANCE IN THE NFL CHAMPIONSHIP "SUPER BOWL XXXVIII" GAME.
WHEREAS, Carolina Panther tight end Kris Mangum (No. 86) of Magee, Mississippi, and his team came tantalizingly close to celebrating at the conclusion of Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday, February 1, 2004, but came up short as they were defeated by Kris' father's old team, the New England Patriots, by a close score of 32-29; and
WHEREAS, the Mangums of Magee, Mississippi, are a football family. Before Kris Mangum, who plays for the Carolina Panthers, there was his older brother, John Mangum, Jr., who played for the Chicago Bears. Before John, Jr., there was Big John Mangum, John, Sr., who played for the old Boston Patriots; and
WHEREAS, Kris Mangum carries much family tradition onto the field today when the Panthers played his father's old team, now called the New England Patriots, in the Super Bowl; and
WHEREAS, Kris Mangum, 6' 4" tall and 255 pounds, apparently inherited the best of both sides of his family. He got his father's strength and inherited the speed and agility from his mother's side, the Sullivans; and
WHEREAS, Kris Mangum's strength and willingness was used to form a big part of the Panthers' success story this season. He was known as a pass-catching tight end at Ole Miss, but he became a dependable blocker in the Panthers' conservative, run-oriented offense. Mangum, who sometimes lines up as a fullback, often leads the blocking for Carolina running star Stephen Davis; and
WHEREAS, a receiver and linebacker at Magee High School, Magee, Mississippi, Kris caught 36 passes for 640 yards and 8 touchdowns and added 113 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries as a Senior. His Junior year, Kris was responsible for 36 receptions for 611 yards and 7 touchdowns. His brother, John, a former All-America defensive back at the University of Alabama, was a cornerback with the Chicago Bears. His father, John, also is a product of the SEC, playing at Ole Miss before transferring to Southern Mississippi and playing professionally for the Boston Patriots in 1966 and 1967; and
WHEREAS, an All-SEC selection following his Junior (1995) and Senior (1996) seasons, Kris' 36 receptions as a Junior led the SEC and were the most by a Rebels tight end since Wesley Walls first set the mark in 1988. When he graduated, he ranked 14th all-time in receptions at Ole Miss, collecting 74 for 729 yards over 3 seasons. As a Senior, Kris ranked second on the team with 29 receptions for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a Junior, he started 9 games and caught 36 passes for 391 yards with 2 touchdowns. In his first season with the Rebels as a Sophomore transfer (1994), Kris started every game and gained 74 yards on 9 receptions. Kris sat out the 1993 season in compliance with NCAA rules after transferring from the University of Alabama where, as a Freshman (1992), he appeared in 8 games, primarily on special teams; and
WHEREAS, Kris Mangum was acquired in the seventh round (228th overall) of the 1997 college draft on April 20, 1997; his career highlights are:
· Hauled in a career-long 35-yard reception
versus New Orleans (11/10/02) that set up the
Panthers' first touchdown.
· Established career highs with 10 starts and 2
touchdown catches in 2001.
· Recorded personal bests of 19 catches and 215
receiving yards in 2000.
· Scored his first NFL touchdown on a 15-yard
reception at Kansas City (12/10/00).
· Responded with 4 receptions for 56 yards versus
St. Louis (12/20/97) in his first NFL start; and
WHEREAS, Kris annually participates in the Breakfast of Champions, an event benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and has also traveled on the Carolina Panthers Bank of America Caravan Tour. He also participates in the team's annual golf events; and
WHEREAS, born Kris Thomas Mangum, Kris majored in Criminal Justice at the University of Mississippi, earning Honor Roll recognition. Kris and his wife, Mary Ellen, have two daughters, Ally Grace and Molly Anne, and live in Charlotte, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special achievements of this professional athlete who has brought honor to his university, his community 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 Carolina Panthers' starting tight end Kris Mangum of Magee, Mississippi, upon his recent appearance in the NFL Championship "Super Bowl XXXVIII" game, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature on his future athletic and career endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Kris Mangum and his family and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.