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The University of Mississippi Athletics
SPOTLIGHT: Heart Of A Champion
9/22/2010 | Football
Sept. 22, 2010
By Morgan Adams
Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations
Every year one outstanding Ole Miss defensive player is awarded a very prestigious honor. This honor cannot be bought or physically won. It is not a championship ring or a division title. One cannot receive it by breaking records, scoring touchdowns or making astonishing plays. It does not measure ones agility, strength or speed and has nothing to do with popularity.
The Chucky Mullins Courage Award measures what truly makes a great football player; heart. The recipients of this award show true passion and love for the game of football.
In 1989 Chucky Mullins was tragically injured during Ole Miss' homecoming game against Vanderbilt, leaving him paralyzed and ending his football career. Despite all odds being against him, Chucky declared that he would return to Ole Miss and pursue his degree. Chucky was true to his word and in January of 1991 he returned to the classroom, however, in May of 1991 he died due to complications from a blood clot. Chucky's story transcended football and touched the lives of people all across Mississippi and the South. The Chucky Mullins courage award was initiated by the Phi Beta fraternity and was to be given to an outstanding defensive player that possessed similar characteristics as Chucky. Whoever received this award would bear the number 38 on his jersey all year in honor of the late Chucky Mullins.
This year, senior defensive end and Hahnville, La., native, Kentrell Lockett was the chosen recipient of this honor.
"I am so grateful and honored to just be mentioned among the elite group of guys who were chosen before me. To know what Chucky did and that the coaches thought enough of me to put me up on that pedestal with him is indescribable; I am honored. I just want to enjoy and embrace it," Lockett said.
Unknown to Lockett or anyone else, he would soon gain a deeper appreciation and the ability to embrace the true meaning of No. 38. During one routine day on the practice field, Lockett's heart began to beat at an unnatural pace and rhythm. Lockett quickly alerted the training staff and they immediately got him off the practice field. It was not very long until Lockett was aboard a plane bound for Ohio. After running numerous tests at the Cleveland Clinic, the heart specialists determined that the cause of Lockett's discomfort was atrial fibrillation, which is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and does not restrict him from competition.
Lockett returned home but would not be allowed practice for several days. If missing practice was not hard enough on Lockett, he also had to ride the bench during the Rebels season opener against Jacksonville State.
"I need football, it is what makes me whole and gives me that extra pep in my step. I need to be practicing and I want to be playing. It is nerve-wracking and sad to watch my team and not be able to contribute."
Lockett's heavy hits and leadership was missed by everyone on the team during the season opener. Not being able to contribute to his team and help lead his fellow Rebels weighed hard on Lockett. Prior to the kickoff of the season's opening game, Lockett gave an emotional pep talk to several of his teammates. Lockett told them, "Ya'll have to take this seriously and do not take this stuff for granted. Just a couple of days ago I didn't know if I would ever play again. Ya'll have to embrace these moments and make the best out of your situations."
During Lockett's talk with his teammates, he unexpectedly began to cry; a true sign of his heart and passion for his teammates and the game.
"I started crying. I didn't want to cry because I am supposed to be a big and tough football player, especially on game day. But, that's just my love for the game and how I showed it," Lockett said.
His love for the game and ability to lead even from the sidelines is just a couple of reasons his teammates voted him as a team captain for the 2010 season.
His play-making abilities might have had something to do with their decision as well.
In 2009, Lockett started all 13 games at right end, recorded a team high 13 quarterback pressures and ranked second in total sacks with 5. In 2008 Lockett started all 13 games at defensive end. He recorded 11.5 tackles for loss, which ranked him second on the team and eighth in the SEC.
Now that Lockett has been released to play, he is excited to pile on more tackles and sacks to his already impressive record. Lockett says that the "landsharks" will be out
in full force this weekend, not just for three quarters but for all four.
Players like Lockett and Mullins impact the people around them. They bring out the best in their teammates. They have the heart of a champion.
