Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum exists to tell — and preserve — the stories of these Mississippi’s greatest athletes and coaches, who are some of the world’s greatest athletes and coaches. Question: What other state can boast the leading scorer and receiver in NFL history (Jerry Rice), the leading passer in NFL history (Brett Favre), the second leading rusher (Walter Payton) and the patriarch of the first family of football (Archie Manning)?

(Fred) James Walters

Born: September 4, 1912

Died: February 1, 1980

Hometown: Laurel, MS

Year of Induction: 1971

College Career

Mississippi State (1933-1937)

• 4-year letterman in football, basketball, baseball

Pro Baseball Career

Boston Red Sox (1945)

Boston Farm Club, New Orleans (1947)

• Player/manager

• Southern Association All-Star team (’47, ‘48)

Manager, Louisville and Chattanooga, Southern League (1949-1950)

• Appeared in four Little World Series

Did You Know?

Fred Walters served as an SEC official for 23 years, working through more than 40 seasons of baseball and football. His annual Fred Walters Wild Game Cookout in Laurel was a highlight on the Mississippi sports calendar for decades.