MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harden, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Moffatt, Turner, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING FORMER ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL STAR LESLIE A. FRAZIER AS THE NEW HEAD COACH OF THE NFL MINNESOTA VIKINGS FOOTBALL TEAM (THE 13TH AFRICAN-AMERICAN HEAD COACH IN THE NFL) AND DESIGNATE "LESLIE FRAZIER DAY IN MISSISSIPPI."
WHEREAS, on January 1, 2011, Minnesota Vikings Interim Coach Leslie Frazier was made Head Coach of this famous NFL franchise after coaching his team to a 24-14 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 28 in Philadelphia. The former Alcorn State University football star is the 13th African-American Head Coach in NFL history; and
WHEREAS, Leslie Antonio Frazier (born April 3, 1959, in Columbus, Mississippi) played cornerback/safety in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. He played college football at Alcorn State University, where he lined up in the defensive secondary next to Roynell Young; and
WHEREAS, Frazier was a part of the 1985 Chicago Bears Team that won Super Bowl XX. During the 1985 Championship Season, Frazier led the team with 6 interceptions. His career was cut short due to a knee injury he suffered returning the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl. He was also a member of the "G Crew" in the video "The Super Bowl Shuffle"; and
WHEREAS, his path to becoming the 13th African-American Head Coach in the NFL was filled with twists. He earned the unofficial title as "Big Man on Campus" at Columbus Lee High School, Hall of Fame student, Mr. Lee High School, Class Favorite and was a three-sport star. Following his senior season in 1977, he was recruited by a handful of schools: Jackson State, Ole Miss, Southern Mississippi, Southwestern Oklahoma State and Alcorn. Alcorn State won the Southwestern Athletic Conference in Leslie's senior season, and at the time, Coach Marino Casem's staff played an aggressive, blitzing defense that required two lock-down cornerbacks who embraced one-on-one coverage. That training would one day serve Frazier well. The Braves won a share of the SWAC Title in 1979, Frazier's junior season. He earned All-SWAC honors and was named a team captain entering his senior year; and
WHEREAS, Coach Frazier started his coaching career in 1988 as the first Head Coach at Trinity College in Illinois, now known as Trinity International University. He held the position for nine seasons, built the NAIA program from the ground up, and won a pair of Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference titles before he moved on to the University of Illinois in 1997 as the Illinois Defensive Back's Coach. In 1999, Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid gave Frazier his first NFL job, as Defensive Back's Coach. He was named Defensive Coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003, then joined coach Tony Dungy in Indianapolis in 2005 as Defensive Back's Coach and Special Assistant. The Colts won the Super Bowl his second year there, defeating the Bears. "That time with Tony was invaluable," Frazier says. "It confirmed in my mind that it is so important to stay who you are. His approach is similar to mine." Frazier joined Minnesota as Defensive Coordinator in 2007 and came within one game of the Super Bowl last season, losing a bruising thriller to the New Orleans Saints. When the Vikings fell to 3-7 in 2010, Frazier was tabbed interim coach; and
WHEREAS, "Have faith, no matter your circumstances," Leslie Frazier, a 51 year-old Christian, says. "It's not always going to be perfect, but the reality is, it is perfect because of who is in control. I have a lot of work to do to achieve my goals." Those who know him best say it's just a matter of time before he does so; and
WHEREAS, Coach Frazier commands great respect from people which is the leading reason the Columbus native is the new Head Coach of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. "He has a terrific way with those who play for him and work with him," Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said following Frazier's hiring; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the special career of this Christian 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 recognize and congratulate former Alcorn State University football star Leslie A. Frazier as the new Head Coach of the NFL Minnesota Vikings Football Team (the 13th African-American Head Coach in the NFL), extend our best wishes to Coach Frazier and his family and team, and designate March 8, 2011, as "Leslie Frazier Day in Mississippi" in his honor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Frazier, forwarded to the President of Alcorn State University and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.