Fred McAfee Helps Raise $170,000 at Mississippi College Athletics Dinner

New Orleans Saints Hall of Famer and former Mississippi College Choctaws football star Fred McAfee joins MC math professors John McMath and his wife, Charlotte, for a photo at Alumni Hall.Later that Thursday evening, McAfee headlined the annual MC athletics dinner at Anderson Hall. Dr. John McMath also serves as MC's head golf coach.

Fred McAfee spoke from the heart as he told stories about his experiences as a Mississippi College student-athlete nearly three decades ago.

While the New Orleans Saints Hall of Famer conceded he’s not a gifted speaker, his audience on the Clinton campus warmly embraced his speech. His remarks clearly showed that McAfee truly loves Mississippi College.

With McAfee serving as keynote speaker at MC’s annual athletic dinner on October 23, the event attracted about 500 guests and raised $170,000 to enhance the university’s NCAA sports programs.

McAfee has been on fire for the Blue and Gold since the day he arrived at the Baptist-affiliated university. Before long, the Philadelphia, Mississippi native became a standout on MC Choctaws football and track teams.

In his seventh year as director of player personnel for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, McAfee broke school records as a Choctaws football star from 1987-90. He’s the all-time leader in rushing yards (4,416), attempts (811), rushing touchdowns (38) and all-purpose yards (6,230). A former Philadelphia High standout, McAfee played 16 seasons in the NFL.

Fred is pumped this season because Choctaws sports teams are transitioning back to NCAA Division II. MC rejoined the Gulf South Conference after being away in NCAA Division III for nearly twenty years.

“I’m really excited,” McAfee said between photos with members of the Mississippi College family at Alumni Hall Thursday evening. “I will help in any way I can.”

While MC has suffered some blowout losses in football this season against some GSC powerhouses like North Alabama and Valdosta State, McAfee believes the Choctaws will bounce back in future years. “Once they (recruits) find out about Mississippi College, it will change.”

Combine that with determination and effort, the wins will come for the Choctaws football team, led by Coach John Bland, he said. “Hard work trumps everything.”

Delta State, he noted, “didn’t get good until we left (the Gulf South Conference).”

Mississippi College will face Delta State on the road in Cleveland at the university’s Homecoming on November 15. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. This season, MC is getting much more media exposure. Three MC football games are airing on ESPN3.

The MC athletics dinner also attracted notable ex-Choctaws football stars like Alvin Kidd, a 1983 graduate and one of Fred’s close friends. Retired from Roadway Express, Kidd, a Meridian resident, says McAfee was a great choice when he was recently selected for induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame next year. “It was well-deserved.”

As Fred’s many admirers dined on a tender steak and a delicious pumpkin cheesecake, Thursday evening’s athletic dinner drew several other speakers, including President Lee Royce.

Mississippi College’s move from NCAA Division III and the Texas-based American Southwest Conference to NCAA Division II and the Birmingham-based GSC, Royce told the audience, was “well worth it.”

As a result, travel time for MC student-athletes, dropped 40 percent as the university plays schools closer to the Clinton campus. The Gulf South Conference includes colleges in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

Mississippi College student-athletes like Macey Lee, a soccer and softball standout from Pearl, and soccer captain Daniel Lang of Jackson, spoke highly of the value of an education at the Christian university.

“I loved my teachers at MC,” said Lee, a Pearl High School graduate. “You get such a community feeling here. We also have really nice facilities.”

Lang, who first arrived at Mississippi College as the shortest person and youngest member of the men’s soccer team, quickly became a leader. He was first named team captain as a freshman. This season, Daniel has been on the sidelines cheering for his teammates following a torn ACL injury in September.

Said Lang: “I would never trade being a Choctaw.”