MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Butler, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Chaney, Dearing, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Harvey, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, King, Kirby, Little, Mettetal, Moffatt, Pickering, Robertson, Thames, Tollison, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING EDDIE KHAYAT, TULANE FOOTBALL STAR FROM MOSS POINT, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2004.
WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2004 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Eddie Khayat, self-made and determined football star from Moss Point, Mississippi, who is a Tulane gridiron legend and had a distinguished 35-year career in pro football as a player and coach; and
WHEREAS, a native of Moss Point, Mississippi, and older brother of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member Robert Khayat, Eddie was a two-way end at Moss Point High School who lettered in football and basketball at Millsaps College as a freshman; and
WHEREAS, he walked on at Perkinston Junior College and was a starter on the football and basketball teams before earning a scholarship to Tulane University and playing end for the Green Wave in 1955 and 1956, was a member of the Tulane team that posted the first winning season for the school since 1950 and helped defeat SEC foes, including Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State; and
WHEREAS, Coach Khayat played in 117 NFL games in 10 seasons for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and Boston Patriots; he was starting tackle for the 1960 NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles that defeated Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers; and
WHEREAS, he began his 25-year NFL coaching career in 1967 with the New Orleans Saints, where he coached Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member Earl Leggett; he served as Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1971 and 1972; other coaching stops in the NFL included the Detroit Lions (twice), Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Colts, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers; he helped the Patriots reach Super Bowl XX in 1986; he served as Head Coach or General Manager in the Arena Football League for seven years and worked as Head Coach for the New Orleans Night and the Nashville Kats and was named Arena Coach of the Year in 1997 after leading Nashville to the AFL quarterfinals; as General Manager, he helped the Kats reach two consecutive Arena Bowl championship games; and
WHEREAS, Coach Khayat was inducted into the Tulane Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Gulf Coast CC Hall of Fame in 1976 and was named to the All-Time Tulane Football Team in 1979 and Tulane All-Century Team in 1993; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete and coach who has brought honor to his community, 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 Eddie Khayat, Tulane University football star from Moss Point, Mississippi, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2004, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Khayat at induction ceremonies, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.