Chucky Mullins (38) prepares to lead Ole Miss onto the field. Standing next to him is head coach Billy Brewer – Ole Miss File Photo
Today the Ole Miss community is honoring a legend – a man that changed the culture of victory, pride and race at The University of Mississippi.
That man’s name is Chucky Mullins.
The story of Mullins dates back to 1988 when the Russellville, Alabama, native came to Ole Miss on a recruiting visit.
“We had really no intentions of signing Chucky Mullins,” said former Ole Miss head football coach Billy Brewer. “He was a good player, but he was a small player. I told him we weren’t going to be able to sign him because you’re not big enough. You’re not strong enough, and you’re not fast enough to play in the Southeastern Conference.”
Brewer said Mullins replied, “Coach, if you give me an opportunity, I’ll be a good player in the Southeastern Conference.”
Brewer said that Mullins begged for the scholarship that he could not afford.
“He came in wearing what he had on and brought a duffle-bag with him. The most important thing he brought with him was his smile that I’ll never forget,” Brewer said.
Brewer discussed the situation with his coaches, and his staff told him that he had to make the decision since Mullins was his type of player. Brewer loved the type of players that could play offense and defense, and that’s what Mullins was.
“When I offered him a scholarship, Chucky’s smile was bigger than ever, and I knew he was going to be a special player,” Brewer said.
Mullins started his college career as a nickelback, or the fifth cornerback in the lineup, in passing situations as a redshirt freshman.
In just the sixth game of his college career in 1989, Mullins greatly impacted the Rebels 17-13 win against Georgia as he deflected a pass that could have been a touchdown for the Bulldogs.
Just a couple games later on October 28, 1989, the Rebels took on Vanderbilt in their homecoming game in what would become one of the biggest travesties in the history of football.
Before the game, a photographer named Pat Maner from Biloxi, Mississippi, snapped a photo of Brewer next to Mullins before they came out onto the field.
“That was the first time I ever saw a photographer take a picture of me. It was ironic that Chucky was beside me, and I didn’t even know it until after I saw the picture,” Brewer said.
In the game, one play changed everything. Mullins hit Vanderbilt running back Brad Gaines with force on a passing play at the Ole Miss two-yard line. Ultimately, it would be the last down of football that Mullins would ever play.
“He did not move after he made the hit,” Brewer said.
Mullins was airlifted to a hospital in Memphis where the doctors declared him paralyzed from the neck down.
Mullins received a special visit in the hospital from President George H. W. Bush, who stayed with him for about 45 minutes. Bryan Gumbel from CBS also came in to visit Mullins. The story received national attention, and Mullins received support from across the nation.
After fighting through 19 months of treatment, Mullins returned to Ole Miss as a student but, unfortunately, died of a blood clot on May 6, 1991. Ever since then, Chucky Mullins chronicled a story that would never be forgotten at Ole Miss.
“Roy Lee ‘Chucky’ Mullins has been a real force for The University of Mississippi, for the state of Mississippi and the South because he has been one of the most positive influences on race relationships in the state of Mississippi,” Brewer said.
This week has been full of celebrations in honor of Mullins, as The University of Mississippi renamed Coliseum Drive, which joins together Highway 6 with campus, “Chucky Mullins Drive.”
“I’m so happy that the university has done this. I’d also like to thank the athletic department, Ross Bjork, Chancellor Dan Jones, the M-Club. I’m just so proud that my school did this,” Brewer said.
On the 25th anniversary of the injury, the M-Club will induct Mullins into their Hall of Fame. The Ole Miss football team will also honor Mullins by wearing helmets with his famous number 38 on them. All of the former Chucky Mullins Courage Award members, along with the newest members of the M-Club Hall of Fame, will be honored at the Ole Miss-Memphis game on Saturday.
