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)?

Johnny R. Spinks

Nickname: Jack the Ripper

Born: February 4, 1930

Died: September 29, 1994

Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Year of Induction: 1984

College Career

Alcorn State (1948-1952)

• All-SWAC Conference, football, 3 times (’49, ‘50, ’51)

• Black All-American twice (’50, ‘51)

• Rushed for over 1000 yards 3 times (’49, ‘50, ’51)

Pro Football Career

Pittsburgh Steelers (1952)

St. Louis Cardinals (1953)

Green Bay Packers (1955)

New York Giants (1956-1958)

• NFL Champions (’56)

Coaching Career

Alcorn State (1959-1984)

• 7 SWAC Championships

• 4 National Black College championships

Did You Know?

Jack Spinks was the first black player drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the first black Mississippian drafted by the National Football League (’52). Asked about his blazing speed, Spinks said it came from hunting rabbits (without a weapon).