Meet the 10 Biggest Sports Stars From Mississippi

Mississippi is a unique state with a unique climate that factors into American History at key moments. Though it is only the 32nd largest state in the United States, a wealth of great athletes, particularly football players, were born and raised in the state. As such, let’s meet the 10 biggest Sports Stars from Mississippi.

To compile a list of the 10 biggest sports stars from Mississippi, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of sports and state publications including the Sports Illustrated Vault, Mississippi Tour Guide, and NFL.com. Next, we selected athletes from a range of sports. After that, we consulted sites like Britannica for specific biographical details.

Brett Favre

• Hometown: Gulfport

One of the biggest sports stars from Mississippi is Brett Favre. He played football at the University of Southern Mississippi before being drafted in 1991 by the Atlanta Falcons. He rose to prominence, however, after being traded to the Green Bay Packers. There, he played 16 seasons and revolutionized the franchise as a quarterback.

Favre saw multiple playoffs with the Packers and even led the team to win a championship title in Super Bowl XXXI. He was also the NFL leader in passing touchdowns, passing yards, and quarterback wins. What’s more, he also holds the record for interceptions. During the ’90s, Favre was named Most Valuable Player three separate times. In 2016, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jerry Rice

• Hometown: Starkville

Another one of the biggest sports stars to hail from Mississippi is football wide receiver Jerry Rice. Born Jerry Lee Rice, he played college football with the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, where he set several records. After that, Rice was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers where he slowly but surely became one of the best players in professional football.

Throughout his career, Rice set an untold number of records. Besides helping the 49ers win three Super Bowl Championships, Rice was the two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, the six-time NFL receiving yards leader, and the six-time NFL receiving touchdowns leader. Considered one of the best wide receivers of all time, Rice scored more points than any non-kicker in NFL history. In the mid-aughts, Rice was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (For other great football teams, discover the most popular teams in pro sports.)

Archie Manning

• Hometown: Drew

Archie Manning is a football legend and one of the biggest sports stars from Mississippi. After setting records as starting quarterback for the University of Mississippi, Manning was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. He played for the Saints for most of his career, but also had stints with the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings.

During his career, Manning was a two-time player of the Pro Bowl, SEC Player of the Year, third-team All-American, and First-Team All-SEC. For his playing at Ole Miss, Manning was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. What’s more, Manning is best known as the father of champion players Eli and Payton Manning.

Walter Payton

• Hometown: Columbia

Another one of the biggest sports stars from Mississippi is football running back Walter Payton. Born Walter Jerry Payton, he began his career at Jackson State University where he was named Little All-American twice. After that, Payton was drafted by the Chicago Bears where he played 13 seasons.

Nicknamed “Sweetness,” Payton set many records during his career and is considered one of the best football players of all time. Some of these records include NFL rushing yards leader and NFL rushing touchdowns leader. Beyond that, Payton was a Super Bowl Champion, NFL Most Valuable Player, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and NFL Man of the Year. In the early ’90s, Payton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

Steve McNair

• Hometown: Mount Olive

Another one of the biggest sports stars from Mississippi is football quarterback Steve McNair. Born Stephen LaTreal McNair, he began his career playing college football for the Alcorn State Braves. There, he won the 1994 Walter Payton Award. After that, McNair was drafted by the Oilers/Titans franchise where he played the majority of his 13 seasons.

As quarterback for the Oilers/Titans, McNair earned the nickname “Air McNair” and set multiple records including the NFL passer rating leader. He was also an NFL co-Most Valuable Player, second-team All-Pro, and three-time member of the Pro Bowl. For his work with the Oilers/Titans franchise, McNair also earned the Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor.

Lance Alworth

• Hometown: Hog Chain

Another one of the biggest sports stars to get their start in Mississippi is football wide receiver Lance Alworth. Born Lance Dwight Alworth, he started his career as a key member of the Arkansas Razorbacks college football team. After that, he was drafted into the NFL and joined the San Diego Chargers franchise where he played for nine seasons.

During his career, Alworth was a Super Bowl Champion, seven-time AFL All-Star, six-time First-Team All-AFL, AFL Champion, and AFL Player of the Year. In terms of records set, he was a three-time AFL receiving yards leader, three-time receptions leader, and three-time receiving touchdowns leader. For his success, Alworth was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jake Gibbs

• Hometown: Grenada

Jake Gibbs was a football player, baseball player, and one of the biggest sports stars from Mississippi. Born Jerry Dean “Jake” Gibbs, he was one of the rare athletes to play two different sports at the professional level. First, he had a successful college football career at the University of Mississippi. After that, he played professional baseball primarily with the New York Yankees.

Throughout his multifaceted athletic career, Gibbs led the Ole Miss Rebels baseball team to their first SEC baseball championship before winning the Heisman Memorial Trophy for the college’s football team the same year. Two years later, Gibbs was named to the 1960 College Football All-America Team and was named SEC Player of the Year. For his success, Gibbs was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

(For other great baseball players, discover the best baseball players from every state.)

Willie Brown

• Hometown: Yazoo City

Another one of the biggest sports stars to come from Mississippi is football player, coach, and administrator Willie Brown. Not to be confused with San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, he began his career playing college football at Grambling State University. After that, Brown joined professional football, playing seasons with the Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, and Oakland Raiders.

Throughout his career, Brown was a Super Bowl Champion, AFL Champion, three-time First-Team All-AFL, five-time AFL All-Star, and four-time Pro Bowler. After playing, Brown became a coach for the Oakland Raiders and helped the team win two more Super Bowl Championships. For his success, Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ralph Boston

• Hometown: Laurel

Another one of the biggest sports stars to hail from Mississippi was track athlete Ralph Boston. Born Ralph Harold Boston, he began his track career at Tennessee State University. There, he won the National Collegiate Athletic Association title for the long jump. After that, Boston would go on to compete in multiple Olympic Games.

Throughout his career, Boston broke numerous records including becoming the first person to break the 27-foot barrier in the long jump. Boston was also a heavily decorated Olympic athlete. For the long jump, he won a Gold Medal at the 1960 Rome Games, a Silver Medal at the 1964 Tokyo Games, and a Bronze at the 1968 Mexico City Games. For his success, Boston was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame.

Mary Mills

• Hometown: Laurel

Another one of the biggest sports stars to hail from Mississippis is golfer Mary Mills. A prodigious golf talent from an early age, Mills attended Millsaps College and Florida International University before turning pro in 1962. After that, she became a member of the LPGA Tour.

Even before she set any records, Mills earned the distinction of LGPA Rookie of the Year. After that, Mills won the LPGA Tour nine separate times including three major championships. Upon retirement, Mills returned to college to study landscape architecture which she uses to design golf courses. She is also a noted golf instructor. (For more Southern athleticism, discover the most popular sports teams in North Carolina.)