MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Witherspoon, Blackmon, Horhn, Blount, Michel, Barnett, Blackwell, Caughman, Clarke, Dearing, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION JOINING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL IN CONGRATULATING FORMER JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE STAR LINEBACKER ROBERT BRAZILE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS INDUCTION INTO THE 2018 CLASS OF THE NFL HALL OF FAME.
WHEREAS, Robert Brazile is the fourth Jackson State University Tiger to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brazile, who was nicknamed "Dr. Doom" during his pro playing days, was a senior nominee who was elected by the 48-member Selection Committee. On the eve of Super Bowl LII, the NFL's Hall of Fame Committee selected eight new inductees into the Class of 2018 in Canton, Ohio, to be held on August 4, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State Alum Robert Brazile played his 10-year professional career with the Houston Oilers from 1975-1984; and
WHEREAS, the Mobile, Alabama, native is widely credited with revolutionizing the outside linebacker position in a 3-4 formation defense. The late Bum Phillips, who coached him, called Brazile "Lawrence Taylor before Lawrence Taylor." His combination of speed, strength and tackling allowed him to be one of the most fearsome of his time, being named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1970s and was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1975. His 1,282 tackles is the second most all-time in Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers franchise history and his unofficial total of 48 sacks (sacks were not an official statistic until 1982), combined with his six straight All-Pro selections, stacks up with all-time greats of the game. Brazile, who was recruited to Jackson State as a tight end, dominated the SWAC as a linebacker before going on to redefine the position with the Houston Oilers; and
WHEREAS, Brazile will be enshrined along with First-Ballot Standouts Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, and Brian Urlacher, as well as Terrell Owens, Brian Dawkins, Jerry Kramer and Bobby Beathard. Brazile and Kramer were named by the Senior Selection Committee. A candidate must receive 80% of the vote to be inducted from the 48-member Selection Committee; and
WHEREAS, the 64-year-old Brazile was the sixth pick in the 1975 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, where he would spend his entire career through 1984. He did not miss a game. Brazile was a seven-time Pro-Bowler in all and five-time First Team All-Pro. As a linebacker, he made 13 interceptions. He was later named to the 1970s All-Decade Team; and
WHEREAS, Brazile will be the fourth player from Jackson State to be inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame, joining Lem Barney, Jackie Slate and Walter Payton, his former teammate and roommate at Jackson State; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the professional football community in paying tribute to a Mississippi football legend who has brought honor to this 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 join professional football in congratulating former Jackson State University and National Football League Star Linebacker Robert Brazile upon the occasion of his induction into the 2018 Class of the NFL Hall of Fame, and extend to Robert and his family our sincere recognition on this high honor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Robert Brazile and his family, forwarded to the National Football League Hall of Fame and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.