While the University of Mississippi will play Tulane University in football on Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, many Rebel supporters will be present at the Superdome the following day, as the club hosts school's band as well as honoring one of the franchise's top players.
In addition to the school's band performing at halftime of Sunday's contest with the Kansas City Chiefs, former Ole Miss/Saints RB Deuce McAllister, along with Owner/Chairman of the Board Tom Benson will honored at halftime for their induction into the Saints Hall of Fame.
The Saints have had success with a number of former Rebels that have put on a Saints uniform.
The Saints have drafted seven players from Ole Miss, the same number as fellow Southeastern Conference schools Alabama and Florida as well as Pittsburgh. Two of the franchise's all-time greats were drafted from Mississippi, running back Deuce McAllister and quarterback Archie Manning.
McAllister was drafted in the first round (23rd overall) in the 2001 NFL Draft. The Mississippi native spent eight years in the NFL, all with the black and gold.
McAllister holds the franchise records in yards (6,096), rushing touchdowns (49), total touchdowns (55), attempts (1,429) and 100-yard rushing games (27). The Morton, Mississippi native is tied for first in club history in 100-yard rushing games in a season (9), rushing touchdowns in a season (13), rushing touchdowns in a game (3), and is ranked second and third in most rushing yards in a season. McAllister also posted the most yards from scrimmage (2,157) in a single-season in team history.
In his college day, McAllister departed Oxford as the only player in school history to record three seasons with at least 1,000 all-purpose yards, holding records for carries (616), yards (3,060), rushing TDs (36), total touchdowns (41), points (246) and 100-yard games (13).
In addition to his family and former teammates in attendance when McAllister and Mr. Benson are honored on Sunday following their formal inductions on Friday, University Chancellor Daniel Jones and Athletic Director Ross Bjork will also be present.
Manning was selected with the second overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft and spent 16 years in the league, his first 12 with New Orleans. He played in 151 games and completed 2,011 of 3,642 passes (55.2%) for 23,911 yards and 125 touchdowns while rushing 384 times for 2,197 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career.
The Drew, Mississippi native who still resides in uptown New Orleans with his wife Olivia, is ranked second in franchise history in career yards, passing attempts, completions, and ranked third in touchdown throws.
Manning was also a two-time Pro Bowler (1978, 1979) and was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Year in 1978.
Other notable players who have spent time with the Saints after playing their college ball at Ole Miss include Kendrick Clancy, Chuck Commiskey, Josh Cooper, Julian Fagan, John Fourcade, Norman Hand and Wesley Wells.
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