Born: March 24, 1926
Hometown: Brookhaven, MS
Year of Induction: 1999
Sportswriting Career
• Director of public relations and athletic publicity, Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg (’51-’55)
• Sports Editor, Jackson Daily News, Jackson (’55)
• Hosted his own sports show, WLBT-TV, Jackson (’56)
• Sports Editor for The State Times, Jackson (’56)
• Executive Sports Editor and Columnist, Trenton Times, Trenton, New Jersey (’62)
• Executive Sports Editor and Columnist, Memphis Comercial Appeal (’64)
• National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame (’64-’91)
- Director of Public Relations
- Appointed Executive Director of the organization in 1970
• Outstanding Mississippian of the Year (’73)
• Inducted into the Mississippi Sportswriters Hall of Fame (’81)
• Honorary lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Association (’90)
• Inducted into the University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame (’91)
Did You Know?
“Mississippi Red” McDowell is credited with suggesting the formation of a Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. In 1960, he presented the idea to “Farmer” Jim Neal, the longtime Jackson radio broadcaster who was president of the Jackson Touchdown Club.
