Ole Hotty Toddy
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Ole Miss Football: What The No.38 Means To Ole Miss

By Daniel Skipper

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 8: Players rub the head of Chucky Mullins statue of the Mississippi Rebels at the start of the second half during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Salukis 76-41. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 8: Players rub the head of Chucky Mullins statue of the Mississippi Rebels at the start of the second half during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Salukis 76-41. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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While the No.18 and No.10 seem to be the focal point of Ole Miss football fans, the No.38 is way more than the others which we have grown to love.

There are signposts in the life of being a Ole Miss football fan. Depending on just how old we may be we have seen some amazing numbers come thru Oxford. While we may be forced to drive under the 18 and 10 mile an hour speed limits there are other numbers which intertwine within the Ole Miss family. None is stronger than the No.38.

Roy Lee ‘Chucky’ Mullins is a Ole Miss icon and the No.38 resonates thru the Ole Miss program each season. Each season a defensive player is selected as the Chucky Mullins Award winner and wears the No.38. The list of greats who have worn the number is long but it all begins with the original No.38 and his amazing story.

The Original No.38

Ole Miss Rebels
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Ole Miss Rebels

Before Chucky Mullins the No.38 really never stood out in Ole Miss history. Sure, there had been players who had worn the number but very few had the opportunity to live the number. Chucky Mullins wore it, lived it and his legacy lives on thru his ‘never quit’ work ethic and attitude.

While we all know the story of Chucky Mullins most of us never had an opportunity to meet the man behind the legend. Some of us knew Chucky for who he was as a charismatic and larger than life figure. Trust me, Roy Lee was all that and then some and it existed in his upbeat attitude and his everlasting smile.

By now most Ole Miss football fans know the story of Chucky Mullins and his remarkable story. Roy Lee ‘Chucky’ Mullins was a huge part of the Ole Miss football program while he was alive and continues to be a huge part of Ole Miss football today even though he is no longer with us. His legacy lives on thru the No.38.

The Great 38s

Regardless of how long you may have been a Ole Miss football fan you have certainly seen some great No.38s dressed out in Rebels red and blue. Since Chucky’s accident and subsequent death the No.38 has been worn exclusively by defensive players and some of the greatest players in Ole Miss history have been chosen to honor Chucky on the field each season.

Each spring just prior to the annual Grove Bowl a defensive player is selected as the recipient of the Chucky Mullins Award and wear the No.38 on the field. Beginning in 1990 Chris Mitchell wore the first No.38 after Chucky and in 2018 we saw CJ Moore and the Chucky Mullins Award winner. Of course there have been some great players in between.

Past Chucky Mullins Award Winners

  • 1990, Chris Mitchell
  • 1991, Jeff Carter
  • 1992, Trea Southerland
  • 1993, Johnny Dixon
  • 1994, Alundice Brice
  • 1995, Michael Lowry
  • 1996, Derek Jones
  • 1997, Nate Wayne
  • 1998, Gary Thigpen
  • 1999, Ronnie Heard
  • 2000, Anthony Magee
  • 2001, Kevin Thomas
  • 2002, Lanier Goethie
  • 2003, Jamil Northcutt
  • 2004, Eric Oliver
  • 2005, Kelvin Robinson
  • 2006, Patrick Willis
  • 2007, Jeremy Garrett
  • 2008, Jamarca Sanford
  • 2009, Marcus Tillman
  • 2010, Kentrell Lockett
  • 2011, DT Shackleford (1st)
  • 2012, Jason Jones
  • 2013, Mike Marry
  • 2014, DT Shackleford (2nd)
  • 2015, Mike Hilton
  • 2016, John Youngblood
  • 2017, Marquis Haynes
  • 2018, CJ Moore

When you go thru this list you can see the greatness in the names who have worn the No.38. So who is your favorite Ole Miss player to ever wear the No.38? Chucky Mullins was the original who made the No.38 what it really is so how can he not be the favorite for many of us. Then again how do you dispute the other names on this list? You really can’t after having seen them give their all for Ole Miss. Regardless of who your favorite No.38 might be there is no denying what the No.38 means to each of us. Now we wait to see who becomes the next great No.38. Hotty Toddy

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