The Slate
This time next week, The Slate will feature the first week of college football. The University of Mississippi Rebels are currently ranked in the top 25 on the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.
Jarius Moore
The Jackson State University Tigers turned to highly touted sophomore Jarius Moore to lead the ground game last season.
The JFP 2015 College Football Preview
Folks in Mississippi will be talking about the 2014-2015 college football season for years to come. Last season was nearly dream-like for the state, as the eyes of the college football world fell on us.
2015 Games to Watch
If you could do nothing but travel the state each weekend to watch football, which games would you go see? I have spent weeks looking at schedules to tell you which games would be the best each week.
JFP 2015 College Football Preview: The Smalls
Last season, Alcorn State did something it hadn't done since Steve McNair graced the cover of Sports Illustrated: It won a SWAC football championship. The Braves continued their flight up the SWAC standings under head coach Jay Hopson.
JFP 2015 College Football Preview: Jackson State University
Jackson, Chang and Ivy are back this season for the Tigers, and all three have a year's worth of experience under their belts.
JFP 2015 College Football Preview: University of Southern Mississippi
Southern Miss Head Coach Todd Monken will have a nice core returning on offense this season. The Golden Eagles return most of their offensive line, and junior quarterback Nick Mullens is back.
JFP 2015 College Football Preview: Mississippi State University
Last season turned out to be a perfect storm for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs had a great mix of returning players, a favorable schedule and opponents with more questions than answers.
Rico Richardson
One player from Jackson State is currently listed on an NFL roster: Rico Richardson for the Tennessee Titans.
The Slate
The first preseason NFL game of 2015 is in the books as Minnesota won 14-3 over Pittsburgh. Former University of Mississippi star Mike Wallace had just one target passing but no catches for Minnesota.
Zack Bird
Thanks to a 13-player trade between the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, former Murrah High School graduate and star pitcher Zack Bird did go home again.
The Slate
The long wait is over. The first sign that summer is ending is that this weekend, there is football on TV, even if it is just the preseason.
Fred McAfee
The town of Philadelphia, Miss., has produced some great athletes over the years. One of the most famous is Marcus Dupree, and this weekend, Dupree's first cousin, Fred McAfee, will be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
Changing More Than the Flag
SEC media days had a slightly political feel to them a couple of weeks ago. Both SEC coaches from the state of Mississippi were asked about changing the state flag.
Saying Dumb Things in Sports
Last week, a few figures in the sports world made headlines for the things they said, which weren't good statements for the most part.
The Slate
Another 1980-1990s star took a tumble last week. This time, it was WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan. The WWE erased Hogan from its roster after transcripts of a racist rant from Hogan surfaced.
Nick Griffin
Former Mississippi State University running back Nick Griffin represented Mississippi in this year's International Federation of American Football Championship.
The Slate
Can you believe that the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers' open training camps begin this Saturday, July 25? The New Orleans Saints start open camp July 29.
LaMontiez Ivy
This season, if the Tigers are going to climb back on top of the SWAC, a big reason will be quarterback LaMontiez Ivy's play. The highly recruited quarterback finally got his chance to shine on the field.
FSU’s Big Problem
At this point in the summer, most of the college football world turns to Media Days and previews of the upcoming season. Two recent incidents at the same school left me wondering what's happening in its football program.
The Slate
Baseball has hit the All-Star break as summer has started to heat up. The Atlanta Braves are currently third in the National League East with the playoffs seeming only a dream right now.
Brian Dozier
Mississippi is full of small towns with major talent. That talent could be musical, literary or athletic in nature. Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier is one of those talents.
The Slate
Just in time for the return of the football season, The Slate is back. Now let's see if we can put together the "Carli Lloyd" of what to watch this next week.
Abby Wambach
Now, at the age of 35, Abby Wambach will have one final chance to capture a World Cup title in the final of the 2015 Women's World Cup.
Dundrecous Nelson
Dundrecous Nelson hopes 85 percent is enough right now. After an ankle injury that ended his college career, he is currently 85 percent back to his old self and knows he is a work in progress.
Summer League of Dreams
While everyone waits for football to begin, Mississippi basketball fans can see more of the sport this summer.
SmackDowns and Tiaras
Father's Day is this Sunday, and I would be remiss if I didn't take some time to discuss my role as a stay-at-home dad. It has been the biggest challenge and a life-changing experience.
What Is Courageous?
Last week saw much debate over what is courageous or heroic in terms of who deserves an award. The argument started when ESPN announced that Caitlyn Jenner would receive this year's Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards later this summer.
Sepp Blatter
It took two countries, but finally, Joseph S. "Sepp" Blatter, the president of FIFA for the last 17 years, a man who was more Teflon than John Gotti, finally went down like the former mobster.
The SEC Leads the Way
A lot happened in the sports world in the last week. The NBA and NHL finals are now set, and the NCAA Baseball Tournament started May 29 and the Women's College World Series started June 1, just to name a few.
Joe Horn
Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn has always been one of the more outspoken players in the league. He unleashed some of his thoughts on a variety of topics in a recent interview with thefootballgirl.com.
Saints Must Get Kicker Right
The quiet time of the NFL offseason means you sometimes miss stories, unless they concern another player being arrested.
James McMahon
Before the beginning of this year's college baseball season, few people would have considered University of Southern Mississippi pitcher James McMahon a possible candidate for the Ferriss Trophy, which the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame awards each year to the state's best baseball player.
Baseball Disappointment
None of the three Southwestern Athletic Conference schools from Mississippi will go to a NCAA Regional. Texas Southern University won the SWAC baseball tournament, so the league will only get one team in the regionals.
Melvin Rodriguez
Jackson State University started the SWAC Baseball Tournament with a 5-10 loss to Southern University on Wednesday, May 13. If the Tigers are going to keep their season alive and have hopes of a regional berth, they will need the SWAC Player of the Year and Co-Hitter of the Year, Melvin Rodriguez, to have some big games for the rest of the tournament.
Why Don’t We Honor Softball?
While college baseball may overshadow softball for some fans, it's just as competitive and filled with great players.
Kaleb Eulls
Former Yazoo County High School star and Mississippi State University defensive tackle Kaleb Eulls landed in a perfect spot when he signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent.
Family Business
The 2015 NFL draft was big for the New Orleans Saints. The team had five of the top 80 picks in the first two days with two first-rounders, one second-rounder and two third-rounders.
Ontario Harper
It took a long time for Ontario Harper to get his love of basketball back. The former Mississippi State University athlete was one of the top players in the state during his senior year (1997-1998) at Clinton High.
Does Character Really Matter?
If you're a sports fan, this weekend will be great for you. The NBA and NHL playoffs continue; the NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 30; the 141st Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 2; and on Saturday night, there's the long-awaited boxing match between heavy-hitters Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.
Anthony Alford
When Anthony Alford signed with Southern Miss after leading the Petal High School Panthers to the 6-A title during his senior season, it was a major recruiting coup.
Sarah Thomas Keeps Breaking New Ground
For Sarah Thomas, being the first full-time female NFL game official, hired April 8, doesn't bring any new pressure for someone who has had many firsts as a woman in a male-dominated profession.
The Mississippi Braves Are Back
Spring is in full effect, and as college basketball ends and the NBA and NHL move toward their playoffs, MLB celebrates its opening week. Baseball returns each summer, serving as the buffer between basketball and football.
John Rocker
It was John Rocker's mouth, not his arm, that was most memorable about his time with the Atlanta Braves. His quotes to Sports Illustrated in December 1999 caused a backlash and a public-relations nightmare.
Chasing Perfection
Just two games separate the 2014-2015 University of Kentucky Wildcats from immortality, and just three teams stand in the Wildcats' way from joining eight others who had a perfect season.
President Barack Obama
Since winning the presidency in 2008, President Obama hasn't been shy about his feelings on sports. In fact, one of the first things he spoke about as president was the lack of a playoff system in Division I football.
From Rick Ray to Ben Howland Lightning Fast
When Rick Ray took over the head-coaching job at Mississippi State University in 2012, he had an uphill climb from the beginning.
Ja-Mes Logan
Former Ole Miss wide receiver Ja-Mes Logan was an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots last fall. He made it to the final round of cuts before the team released him.
New Orleans Fire Sale or Quick Rise Plan?
Both New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis said there would be major changes after last season's 7-9 finish.
Patrick Willis
It's more likely that athlete will stay too long in his or her sport than leave gracefully or early. That's why it is always shocking when a player like San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis walks away.