Senate Concurrent Resolution 581

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING WALT SUGGS, SUPERB ALL-SEC OFFENSIVE TACKLE FOR THE MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS AND ALL-PRO FOR THE AFL HOUSTON OILERS, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2006.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled its Class of 2006 which features Walt Suggs, superb Offensive Tackle from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who was an All-SEC player for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and an All-Pro for the AFL Houston Oilers and also a member of the Oilers All-Time 30-Year Team; and

WHEREAS, Walt was an All-Conference and All-State tackle at Forrest County Agricultural High School in Brooklyn, Mississippi, who played in the 1957 Mississippi High School All-Star Football Game; and

WHEREAS, he was a three-year letterman at Mississippi State from 1958-1960, named to the UPI All-SEC Second Team in 1959 and 1960, selected to the Academic All-SEC Team in 1960 and served as Team Captain for the Bulldogs, and played in the 1961 Senior Bowl and the Blue-Gray Game in 1960; and

WHEREAS, he was drafted in the 3rd Round of the 1961 AFL Draft by the Houston Oilers (now known as TN Titans). He signed with his teammate and Mississippi Hall of Fame member Tom Goode. He played in 137 games for the Houston Oilers in 10 seasons from 1962-1971 and played in more consecutive games than any other Oiler in team history; and

WHEREAS, Walt was a durable performer who played at 6'5", 250 pounds, during his professional career. He was a member of three Houston teams that played for the AFL championship, including the famous overtime game in 1962 against the Dallas Texans which was the longest game in pro football history at that time; and

WHEREAS, he was selected as All-AFL First Team Offensive Tackle in 1967 and 1968 and played in two AFL All-Star games; and

WHEREAS, his teammates at Houston included NFL Hall of Fame players such as QB George Blanda, DE Elvin Bethea, FB John Henry Johnson and WR Charlie Joiner, along with notable names such as Billy Cannon from LSU and AFL legend Ernie "The Cat" Ladd; and

WHEREAS, he played in the first pro football game ever played in the Houston Astrodome in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Walt was named to the Houston Oilers All-Time 30-Year Team in 1991 and inducted into the Mississippi State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete 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 Walt Suggs, superb All-SEC Offensive Tackle for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and All-Pro for the AFL Houston Oilers, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2006, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Walt Suggs at induction ceremonies, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.