The University of Mississippi Athletics
Charlie Conerly Memorialized with Endowed Scholarship
5/25/2005 | Athletics
May 25, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss football standout Charlie Conerly was an unassuming man - never one to blow his own horn. He rarely celebrated after scoring a touchdown. He would simply hand the ball to the referee and trot to the sideline.
"Charlie was a shy man," said New York Giants teammate Frank Gifford. "He didn't want to stand out. He didn't even like trophies. He was very sensitive about receiving praise."
Off the field, Conerly also remained reserved. Perian Conerly said that her late husband wouldn't understand why the Charlie Conerly Memorial Athletic Scholarship at the University of Mississippi was named in his honor, but he would be thrilled about the opportunity the scholarship provided.
"Charlie never would have gone to college without his football scholarship at Ole Miss," she said. "That opportunity changed his life."
One of the greatest football players ever to wear an Ole Miss uniform and a beloved alumnus, Conerly will be remembered for generations to come through the Charlie Conerly Memorial Athletic Scholarship. The $100,000 endowment was set up by his wife for deserving student-athletes.
"The endowment is a widow's mite when compared to other donations, but it's a very important scholarship for future players," she said.
A Clarksdale, Miss., native, Conerly passed away Feb. 13, 1996, after a lengthy illness. Affectionately known as Chunkin' Charlie, the former quarterback thrilled Ole Miss fans as he led the Rebels to their first Southeastern Conference Championship in 1947 and a victory over Texas Christian University in the Delta Bowl.
Conerly earned three letters at Ole Miss, playing in 1942, 1946 and 1947, earning All-America honors his senior season and All-SEC accolades twice. He interrupted his undergraduate career to serve with the U.S. Marines in World War II.
After graduation, Conerly joined the NFL's New York Giants, leading them to the 1956 NFL Championship. He was named 1948 NFL Rookie of the Year and the League's Most Valuable Player in 1959. Conerly ended his career in 1961 with 1,418 career completions, including 173 touchdown passes. His Giants number 42 was retired in 1962.
"Charlie had an incredible arm and a great feel for the game," said Gifford. "He was a tremendous athlete, and by the end of his career, he was a sports hero for New York."
Perian Conerly authored "Backseat Quarterback" (Doubleday 1963), detailing the couple's experiences during his professional football years. After retiring, Conerly and his wife returned to Mississippi, and they often traveled to Oxford on football weekends.
Conerly's honors include induction into the National College Football Hall of Fame, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame, and Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame. He also received the Distinguished American Award from the Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame and was selected by Rebel fans as a back on the Ole Miss Football Team of the Century. As a college player, Conerly was also named the Atlanta Touchdown Club's SEC Back of the Year and the Nashville Banner's SEC Player of the Year.
A prestigious trophy named in his honor, the Charlie Conerly Trophy, is awarded annually to Mississippi's most outstanding collegiate football player. Designed to be the Mississippi equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, the award is open to all Mississippi players, regardless of school size or position. The original bronze sculpture is permanently housed in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson, and a replica is on display at Ole Miss in Hollingsworth-Manning Hall, the school's athletics memorabilia area located on the second floor of the Michael S. Starnes Athletic Training Center.
To learn more about the endowment, including details about making a tax-deductible contribution, contact the University of Mississippi Foundation at 1-800-340-9542.