House Resolution 105

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL TEAM STUDENT MANAGER THOMAS "SNACKS" LEE FOR HIS AMAZING SHOT AND FOR WINNING THE 2020 ESPY AWARD FOR THE "CAN'T-STOP-WATCHING MOMENT."

WHEREAS, viral sensation and basketball star Thomas "Snacks" Lee, a graduate of Provine High School and the student manager of the Jackson State University Men's Basketball Team, won the "Can't-Stop-Watching Moment" for the 2020 ESPY Awards presented by Capital One, on June 21, 2020; and

WHEREAS, to win the ESPY Award, Snacks earned the most votes against finalists Riley Sartain-Vaughan, the Newtown High School Football Team, and Obed Lekhehle after winning 79 percent of Twitter polls and winning ESPN's online voting process, and before the final round, he also knocked off number one seeded Olympic Superstar and two-time ESPY Award Winner Simone Biles in the elite eight as he advanced past Biles' world record-setting moment; and

WHEREAS, the road to winning his ESPY Award was well deserved as Snacks, who had dutifully managed the Tigers basketball team for four years, had finally made it to senior night, where he not only dressed out with his team, but was also honored before the game for all of his hard work and dedication to the Tigers; and

WHEREAS, when deciding what number to choose, it was a no-brainer for Snacks, who chose number 35 in honor of his favorite basketball player, Kevin Durant; and

WHEREAS, with two minutes left on the clock, the crowd grew restless because they wanted to see their favorite new player and beloved student manager put into the game, so after roaring chants of "WE WANT SNACKS!", the coach obliged and Snacks checked into the game; and

WHEREAS, the crowd erupted in cheers when Snacks stepped onto the court, but he really gave them something to cheer about when he shot a three-pointer from 35 feet out, sending the already cheering crowd into an excited frenzy and instantly becoming a viral sensation; and

WHEREAS, as more and more people watched that amazing shot, the "Three Shot," Snacks got calls from news programs and reporters across the globe, including The Morning Show with Hoda and Jenna, ESPN's College Gameday, TMZ Sports, The Athletic, The Washington Post, The Undefeated, "Pardon My Take," ESPN, "Pardon The Interruption," The Dan Le Batard Show and Around the Horn; and

WHEREAS, this ESPY Award only added to the list of accolades and news outlets that Snacks has been a part of over the last three and one-half months, and the ESPY Award marks the first-ever ESPY to be awarded to Jackson State University as well as to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC); and

WHEREAS, even after receiving all of the national attention for his remarkable shot, the most epic viewer of the video was Kevin Durant himself, who saw the viral three-pointer and tweeted his praise in response to it; and

WHEREAS, after winning the 2020 "Can't-Stop-Watching Moment" ESPY Award and capturing the hearts of America, it only took three words to describe the moment for the hometown hero, "Humble never Hollywood," and staying humble is exactly how the viral sensation has handled this whole process ever since he made his 35-plus foot three-point shot on senior night; and

WHEREAS, when he was asked how it felt to make this epic shot, Snacks said, "Kevin Durant has always been my favorite player. It made me feel like the 'Easy Money (3-point) Sniper' when I made it," and that night, he truly transformed into Kevin Durant when he made the shot of a lifetime; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor and recognize fine Mississippians, especially those such as Thomas "Snacks" Lee, who has been an inspiration both on and off the court for his fellow students and teammates and has brought immense honor to his community, the Jackson State University family and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Jackson State University Basketball Team Student Manager Thomas "Snacks" Lee for his amazing shot and for winning the 2020 ESPY Award for the "Can't-Stop-Watching Moment" and extend best wishes for all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Thomas "Snacks" Lee, the Jackson State University Acting President Thomas Hudson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.