Senate Concurrent Resolution 544

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BOBBY RAY FRANKLIN, OLE MISS QUARTERBACK AND HALL OF FAME COACH FROM CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI, 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 Bobby Ray Franklin from Clarksdale, Mississippi, outstanding quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels, nationally renowned Hall of Fame Championship Community College Football Coach, and Defensive Back for NFL title teams with the Cleveland Browns; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Ray Franklin earned 12 letters in football, baseball and track at Clarksdale High School and was prep All-State and All-American; and

WHEREAS, he was an All-SEC Quarterback at Ole Miss, who led the Rebels to a record win of 35-7-1 plus an SEC and National Championship from 1956-1959, was MVP in the 1960 Sugar Bowl and the 1958 Gator Bowl. He was named to the All-Time Sugar Bowl Team for 1960-1970, played in the Chicago All-Star game in 1960 and was an 11th round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 1960 NFL draft; and

WHEREAS, Coach Franklin played safety for the Browns and held for NFL Hall of Fame kicker Lou Groza for seven years from 1960-1966. He was a member of the 1964 Browns NFL Championship Team, then became Assistant Coach for Georgia Tech, the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Colts from 1967-1973. He coached in Super Bowls V and VI with the Cowboys; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Ray Franklin has served as Head Coach of the Northwest Community College Rangers from 1981 to present date, has led the Rangers' football program to 24 consecutive winning seasons, 12 North Division titles, 6 Region 23 titles, 6 MS JUCO crowns, 8 bowl games and two JUCO National Championships in 1982 and 1992; he ranks in the top 5 nationally among active community college football coaches with a career record of 201-56-6, including a 101-26-2 mark in home games. He coached 65 JUCO All-Americans, including players that have performed in the NFL, CFL and the Arena Football League; and

WHEREAS, upon induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, he will be a member of four athletic halls of fame, including the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame (1988), the Northwest Community College Athletic Hall of Fame (2003), and the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame (2005); and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete and coach who has brought honor to his hometown, his university, his community college 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 Bobby Ray Franklin, Ole Miss Quarterback, NFL Defensive Back and Hall of Fame Coach from Clarksdale, Mississippi, 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 Coach Franklin at induction ceremonies, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.