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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Lanier Goethie Named Chucky Mullins Award Winner
4/5/2002 | Football
April 5, 2002
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss linebacker Lanier Goethie of Baxley, Ga., has been selected as the 2002 recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award.
The award, sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, honors the late Chucky Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt when he was paralyzed after making a tackle. After returning to his studies at Ole Miss, Mullins passed away on May 6, 1991.
The Chucky Mullins Courage Award goes to a rising senior defensive player at Ole Miss. Each winner then wears Mullins' No. 38 during that senior season.
Goethie, who has worn No. 2 during his first three years with the Rebels, will be presented in No. 38 Saturday night when Ole Miss completes spring football drills with the annual Red-Blue game, set for 6:00 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field. Due to an injury, Goethie will be unable to play in the spring game.
The selection of Goethie was announced during Friday night's 13th annual Chucky Mullins Courage Award Banquet, which is sponsored each year by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
"I think Lanier Goethie represents what the award means ... courage, dedication and work ethic," said Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe following the announcement. "Everything you want in a football player, you find in Lanier Goethie. I know Chucky Mullins is smiling right now about Lanier Goethie being the choice for the 2002 number 38, the Chucky Mullins Courage Award. All the former winners and current Ole Miss players can once again take great pride in this selection."
During his first three seasons at Ole Miss, Goethie has earned three letters while being credited with 156 total tackles, including six hits behind the line of scrimmage for a minus 29 yards. He has also recorded one pass interception, had one quarterback sack, caused one fumble, recovered four fumbles, knocked down five passes, and had one QB pressure.
"It's a great honor and I have some big shoes to fill," said Goethie. "Obviously, people saw something in me for me to receive such an honor. I'll keep playing hard and wear 38 with pride. I didn't know a lot about Ole Miss when I first got here, but I started hearing about Chucky Mullins during my freshman season. The players let me know about Chucky. I saw the video and it's evident he has had a big impact on what's gone on here at Ole Miss."
Goethie joins 12 other former Ole Miss Rebels to receive the Chucky Mullins Courage Award. They include Chris Mitchell, Jeff Carter, Trea Southerland, Johnny Dixon, Alundis Brice, Michael Lowery, Derek Jones, Nate Wayne, Gary Thigpen, Ronnie Heard, Anthony Magee, and Kevin Thomas. Wayne spoke at Friday night's banquet and gave a testimonial as to how having won the Chucky Mullins Courage Award affected his life.
