Senate Resolution 11

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING NFL SUPER BOWL LIV CHAMPION KANSAS CITY CHIEFS' FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE TACKLE MARTINAS ORLANDO RANKIN WHO WAS A STANDOUT AT MENDENHALL HIGH SCHOOL AND MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHEREAS, Super Bowl LIV featured nine players with Mississippi connections, five with the Kansas City Chiefs and four with the San Francisco 49ers. Among the championship Kansas City team stars was Offensive Tackle Martinas Orlando Rankin from Mendenhall, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Martinas Orlando Rankin was born October 20, 1994. After playing at Mendenhall High School in Mississippi, Rankin spent two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Mississippi. He was rated as the ninth best junior college recruit by 247SPORTS and committed to play at Mississippi State over offers from Oklahoma, Florida, Louisville, Missouri, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Texas and others. Martinas was redshirted in 2015 and earned a starting job as a junior in 2016. He had a breakout year in 2017, winning the Kent Hull Trophy and being named to the 2017 All-SEC Football Team; and

WHEREAS, before his senior year, Martinas was projected as a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by several writers. His college career included the following: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 2013-2014: Academic Honor Roll, JUCO All-American and Nation's top JUCO offensive lineman; Mississippi State University, 2015-2017: Major: Kinesiology: 2015-2016 and 2017-SEC Academic Honor Roll, Football Achievements: 2017-First Team All-SEC (coaches), 2017-Second-Team All-SEC (Associated Press), 2017-Honorable Mention All-American (SB Nation), 2017-Campbell Trophy Semifinalist and 2017-Team Captain and attended SEC Media Day; and

WHEREAS, the Houston Texans selected Rankin in the third-round (80th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. Rankin was the eighth offensive tackle drafted in 2018. The pick used to draft Rankin was acquired in a trade that sent Duane Brown to the Seattle Seahawks. On May 10, 2018, the Houston Texans signed Rankin to a four-year, Multimillion Dollar contract that included a signing bonus. The Texans drafted Rankin to play offensive tackle although many scouts and draft experts viewed him as an interior offensive lineman in the NFL. During rookie minicamp, Rankin sustained a foot injury which required surgery and was sidelined for the entire training camp; and

WHEREAS, on August 31, 2019, Rankin was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for running back Carlos Hyde. He started five games at left guard before suffering a knee injury in week 10. He was placed on injured reserve on November 11, 2019. The Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LIV, their first championship in 50 years; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a professional Mississippi 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate NFL Super Bowl LIV Champion Kansas City Chiefs' Football Offensive Tackle Martinas Orlando Rankin who was a standout at Mendenhall High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and extend our best wishes to Martinas for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Martinas Orlando Rankin and his family, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.