.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Players Receive Honors At Red-Blue Game
3/31/2003 | Football
March 31, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, along with various football support groups, honored several members of the 2002 and 2003 Rebel squads here Saturday during Red-Blue activities.
Athletes selected to receive the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award included defensive lineman Dedrick Clark of Pontotoc, Miss., quarterback Ethan Flatt of Nashville, Tenn., and defensive lineman Andrew Wicker of Zachery, La.
The Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes incoming freshmen athletes who compiled outstanding records both in the classroom and on the athletic field during their high school careers. All three of the players were redshirted last season during their true freshman year at Ole Miss.
Linebacker Lanier Goethie of Baxley, Ga., was honored with the 2002 Leadership Award from the Birmingham Alumni Club, while defensive back Matt Grier of Smithville, Miss., received the Clower-Walters Scholarship for the 2002 season. The Clower-Walters Scholarship was established in 1974 by the late humorist Jerry Clower to honor the late Carl Walters, a longtime Mississippi sportswriter who covered Ole Miss football.
Offensive tackle Belton Johnson of Coffeeville, Miss., received the Most Dedicated Player Award for the 2002 season from the Hinds County Chapter of the Ole Miss Alumni Association.
Center Ben Claxton of Dublin, Ga., received the John Howard Vaught Award of Excellence for the 2002 campaign, an award which recognizes a senior athlete who exemplifies the qualities of dedication, scholastic ability, morale, and performance. The award honors Vaught, whose Ole Miss teams won 190 games over 25 seasons as the Rebels captured six Southeastern Conference titles and a share of three national championships.
Linebacker Eddie Strong of Batesville, Miss., was honored with the Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik Leadership Award from the All-America Football Foundation and the University of Mississippi received a scholarship in the name of Eddie Strong. Blaik, one of the most successful coaches in college football history, led three of his West Point teams to national championships, and 24 of his former assistants became head coaches.
The Jeff Hamm Memorial Award for the most improved offensive and defensive players from the 2003 spring football drills went to offensive tackle Bobby Harris of Decatur, Ga., and linebacker Rob Robertson of Centreville, Miss. The award honors the late Jeff Hamm, who served 40 years with the University of Mississippi in various capacities, including the final 20 years as Business Manager of Athletics.
The J. Richard Price Courage and Compassion Award went to senior defensive lineman Jesse Mitchell of Moss Point, Miss. The award, which includes a scholarship to Ole Miss in the name of Mitchell, honors Richard Price, who was a three-year starter and an offensive and defensive standout on three of the greatest Rebel teams (1958-59-60).
Also recognized was linebacker Jamil Northcutt of Tullahoma, Tenn., who received the Chucky Mullins Courage Award last Friday night. Northcutt is the 14th winner of the prestigious award which honors the memory of Mullins, who was paralyzed after making a tackle against Vanderbilt during the 1989 Homecoming game, and then passed away on May 6, 1991. As a special part of the award, Northcutt will wear the late Mullins' No. 38 this fall.
Head Coach David Cutcliffe also announced that defensive end Charlie Anderson, wide receiver Chris Collins, quarterback Eli Manning, and Mitchell have been elected to serve as permanent team captains for the 2003 season.
