Senate Resolution 18

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING RUNNING BACK AND HONOR STUDENT BRADFORD JEROME BLACKMON FOR HIS AWARD-WINNING FOOTBALL CAREER AT SAINT ANDREWS HIGH SCHOOL.

WHEREAS, an outstanding member of the 2007 Senior Class at Saint Andrew's Episcopal School in Ridgeland, Mississippi, is Bradford Jerome Blackmon, who has been an honor student in Grades K-12 and an award-winning running back for the "Saints" Football Team; and

WHEREAS, during his four years of varsity play at St. Andrews, Bradford scored 106 touchdowns, completed 716 rushes for 5,553 yards rushing, caught 98 passes for 1,986 receiving yards, for a total of 9,364 all-purpose yards; and

WHEREAS, during Bradford's tenure as a member of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Football Team (2003-2006), the Saints won 35 games and lost 13. The Saints were 10-0 during the regular 2004 season and 9-1 during the regular 2006 season. Bradford completed his 4-year high school football career with 106 touchdowns, ranking him 3rd among Mississippi's all-time touchdown leaders; and

WHEREAS, Bradford's 2006 Senior Seasonstatistics are as follows:

Attempts Yards T.D.

Yards Rushing (211) 1746 (24)

Kick-Off-Returns (8) 175

Punt Returns (1) 5

Receiving (22) 454 (6)

Passing (3) 43 (1)

Total Touchdowns 30

Total All Purpose Yards 2,423; and

WHEREAS, his memorable Honors & Awards for the 2006 Senior Football Season:

Named Team MVP

First Team All-State 2-A

First Team (All Classifications) All-State Overall

The Clarion Ledger "All-Metro Player of the Year"

Madison County Herald All-County Team

2006 Most Valuable Offensive Player State 2-A

2006 Bank Plus Blitz 16 All-Metro Player of the Year

Nominated for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award

Named to The Orlando Florida Sentinel Newspaper

All-Southern Football Team; and

WHEREAS, his prior year Honors & Awards:

2005 Junior Football Season:

Named Team MVP

First Team All-Metro

First Team All-State 2-A

Bank Plus 16 Player of the Week

Most Valuable Player District 6-2A

Madison County Herald All-County Team2005 Junior Basketball Season:

Named Team MVP

All-District Boys' Basketball District 6-2A

2004 Sophomore Football Season:

Named Team MVP

Second Team All-State 2-A

Madison County Herald All-County Team

Most Valuable Offensive Player District 6-2A

2003 Freshman Football Season:

Named Team MVP

First Team All-District 6-2A

Madison County Herald All-County Team; and

WHEREAS, Bradford has accepted an offer to play his next four years of collegiate football in the Ivy League at the University of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Bradford is the son of Representative Ed Blackmon and former Senator Barbara Blackmon, and it is with great pride that we recognize the outstanding athletic and academic record of this young student-athlete who has brought honor to his school, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Running Back and Honor Student Bradford Jerome Blackmon for his award-winning football career at Saint Andrews High School and extend to him our best wishes for success as he begins his collegiate career.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bradford Blackmon and his parents, forwarded to the Headmaster of St. Andrews Episcopal School and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.