House Resolution 113

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. LARRY GRANTHAM AND ACKNOWLEDGING HIS PERSEVERING WILL TO LIVE AND OVERCOME ADVERSE HEALTH CONDITIONS.

WHEREAS, Larry Grantham, the fourth of six children born to Carl and Mabel Grantham in the tiny community of Gatesville, Mississippi, in Copiah County, has a resume which by anyone's standard is quite impressive, but above all is his perseverence through life's adversities and to live to tell the tale; and

WHEREAS, easily traceable on Google or Wikipedia, Mr. Grantham is the first to inform you, that in many ways he has lived every little boy's dream, that in the beginning appeared to be a dream that had little chance of coming to fruition; and

WHEREAS, his life gives evidence that when God has a plan, the opportunities will present themselves, and Larry did his part to avail himself of those opportunities as indicated by the measure of his success as an Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Ole Miss Team of the Century, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame inductee, New York Jets 1969 Super Bowl Champion, and those accomplishments are just a few of the very long list of his accolades and trophies; and

WHEREAS, while some former celebrity athletes never find a meaningful path when the glory days of years past fade, Mr. Grantham's post-stardom days are filled with a mission to be of assistance to his fellowman, as he has been an ardent advocate for Alcoholics Anonymous for the past 27 years and a spokesman for Freedom House Recovery Facility for 12 years, an organization in which he has helped raise in excess of $1.7 million; and

WHEREAS, drafted by both the Baltimore Colts and the New York Titans in 1960, Grantham signed with the Titans, who three years later became the Jets, and led the team as team captain for seven of those remaining 10 years of his career, a career which encompassed the 1969 Super Bowl victory over the Colts; and

WHEREAS, after concluding his professional football career in 1972 at the age of 35, Larry returned to Mississippi, removed from the stage lights of athletic prominence, to start life anew as a successful businessman; and

WHEREAS, one who leaned wholeheartedly upon the tenets of his religious upbringing, Mr. Grantham's faith was made strong when he found himself confronted with several health issues, yet this spiritual powerhouse surmounted the obstacles presented to him by a GI tract ailment, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Atrial Fibrillation, inspiring others around him by remaining steadfast in faith and prayer as a reality of God's protective care and redemptive love; and

WHEREAS, today at 74 years of age, Larry can be found on Sundays either at the First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs or at Pinelake in Brandon, and spending as much time as possible as a proud father with his son and daughter, and his six grandchildren, who bring him great joy; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence especially when evidenced by such a talented and inspirational individual as Mr. Grantham, whose life is a testament of God's unmerited favor:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, career accomplishments, the community service and contributions of Mr. Larry Grantham, acknowledge his persevering will to live and overcome adverse health conditions, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Grantham and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.