For the second time, two Mississippi universities have adapted their annual football rivalry, pairing Special Olympics athletes with partners from both schools.
The University of Mississippi hosted the Mississippi Special Olympics’ second annual Unified Egg Bowl Monday at the intramural fields.
The unified rebels won the Unified Egg Bowl 25-24 against the unified bulldogs. (Photo by: Taylor Cook)
The unified Rebels took home the Egg Bowl trophy in a 25-24 victory over the unified Bulldogs.
Michael Roach, father of unified Rebel Jesse Roach, came out from Shannon to watch his son take on the unified Bulldogs for the first time.
Roach said he believes the Special Olympics have made a great impact on his son’s attitude and self-assurance.
“Being a part of this team has changed Jesse’s confidence big time,” Roach said. “He has been so eager and excited to play in this game and to show off his skills.”
Scott Douglas coached the unified Rebels to victory for the first time this year. Douglas said the Special Olympics give everybody an equal sense of opportunity and importance.
“It means the world to me to be a part of this because I get to see the smiles on their faces,” Douglas said. “Win or lose, they’re smiling, and that is what is so fulfilling about it.”
Douglas said the coaching opportunity with Special Olympics had been a life-changing experience.
Head coach Hugh Freeze poses with Oxford players from the Unified Egg Bowl, which allows individuals with special needs to play football. (Photo by: Taylor Cook)
Ole Miss football head coach Hugh Freeze donated $2,500 to the Ole Miss Special Olympics team, bringing their collection to a total of $3,793, topping the Mississippi State Special Olympics Team’s total of $1,859. Those donations earned the unified Rebels a seven-point advantage in the game.
Freeze, Ole Miss athletics director Ross Bjork, several Ole Miss football players and club sports athletes attended the game, along with family and fans.
Kris Upchurch of Carthage, and coach of the unified Bulldogs, gave up his high school football-coaching job of 10 years to participate in the Special Olympics as a coach.
“The joy that I get from them is second to none,” Upchurch said.
Upchurch said every player on his team is unique and very special to him.
“Win, lose, or draw, they don’t care,” Upchurch said. “They were out here and they had fun. All that matters is to have fun. Nothing else matters.”
Linda Pauling attended the game to support her granddaughter, 18-year-old Madison Dennis of Saltillo.
Dennis participated in last year’s first Unified Egg Bowl at the Mississippi State campus.
“She is so excited to be here and to be playing again,” Pauling said.
(Photo by: Taylor Cook)
Douglas said the unified Rebels are to pick up practices again near September of next year to prepare for the third annual Unified Egg Bowl.
