Sports Hall of Fame to roast Jackie Sherrill

Jackie Sherrill

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame's roast of the winningest coach in Mississippi State football history will be held Sept. 9 at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

Jackie Sherrill, who grew up in Biloxi, played college football at Alabama and also had successful coaching stints at Pittsburgh and Texas A&M, will be roasted by his former players and associates, including Tony Dorsett who played for Sherrill at Pittsburgh.

The 7 p.m. roast, preceded by a 5:30 p.m. reception, will be is a fund-raiser for the MSHOF. Tickets are $100. Sponsorship packages and tables are also available. Hancock Bank is a presenting sponsor.

Sherrill compiled a career college coaching record of 180–120–4, including an 8-6 mark in bowl games. His 1998 Mississippi State Bulldogs won the SEC Western Division title and his 1999 Bulldogs finished 10-2. Under Sherrill, State went to six bowl games; before his arrival the Bulldogs had played in seven bowls in 96 seasons.

As a player, Sherrill helped Bear Bryant's Crimson Tide win two national championships.

Among the former players and friends who will roast Sherrill:

• Dorsett, who won the Heisman Trophy and went on to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career in the NFL.

• Sleepy Robinson, who led Sherrill's State teams to their biggest victories as a quarterback who could run or throw and make big plays either way.

• Pork Chop Womack, a first-team All-Southeastern Conference guard and tackle who played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals.

• Matt Wyatt, former Bulldog quarterback, who threw for 2,940 yards under Sherrill and has since become a TV and radio personality who co-hosts the popular Head to Head radio program.

• Straton Karatassos, Mississippi State associate athletic director/Bulldog Club and former MSU athletic trainer.

• Phil Silva, long-time MSU equipment manager.

Call 601-982-8264 for more information or to order tickets.