DEUCE!!!!
This was a common chant you would hear when Deuce McAllister took the field in Vaught/Hemingway Stadium at the University of Mississippi on game day. It’s no wonder since he is one of the most decorated football players in Ole Miss history and the only football player to have recorded 1,000 all purpose yards in three seasons. I am an Ole Miss fan but I followed Deuce’s career more when he was with the New Orleans Saints. He was a first round draft pick in 2001 and throughout his career with the Saints he became and still is the Franchise’s all time leading rusher with 6,096 yards. He also scored 55 total touchdowns and 49 of them were rushing touchdowns. These are also both Saints records and he also was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2003.
Deuce McAllister is probably one of the most loved Mississippi football players in recent history and it is really no wonder as evident from his work on the field and now that he is retired from his work off the field. He has become a fixture in the Jackson area opening several businesses and being involved with the restoration of historic downtown buildings, The Edwards Hotel being one of them. He also wanted to give back to the University and did so by donating $1 million dollars for a indoor practice facility for the Ole Miss football team. His Catch 22 Foundation was formed in 2002 and is dedicated to the enhancement of children’s lives in the Gulf Coast Region. The foundation has grown by leaps and bounds throughout the years and is not only helping children in the Jackson and New Orleans area but throughout the entire states of Mississippi and Louisiana. Oh, and of course Deuce hosts his Champions of Football Camp for children between the ages of 10-18…now you know that is a good time.
You could feel the electricity in the air in January 2010 when the announcement was made that the Saints had resigned Deuce the day before the playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals and he was going to be a honorary captain and lead the team out on the field. I wasn’t at the game but I was watching and you have never heard a roar like that when the crowd saw Deuce. We were even cheering at home!! Even though Deuce formally announced his retirement from the NFL I know that he will always be in the public eye and hearts due to his philanthropic work he is doing throughout the region and to all of us, his fans–
HE IS ALWAYS A SAINT!!!!
Click here to see all of “Lemuria Reads Mississippians.” Editor Neil White will be signing at Lemuria on Thursday, October 28th.
Mississippians is available now! Purchase a copy online or call the bookstore 601/800.366.7619.
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