[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE EAST MISSISSIPPI LIONS, NJCAA CHAMPS

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I rise for a long overdue floor speech to 
recognize a school in my home State of Mississippi that continues to 
win national football championships, five, in fact, over the past 10 
years.
  I can assure my friends from Alabama that I am not trying to steal 
the thunder from the Crimson Tide. I am here to recognize the 
undefeated East Mississippi Community College Lions, who have become 
their own football dynasty and are the reigning National Junior College 
Athletic Association champs. NJCAA is commonly known as JUCO.
  What makes the East Mississippi Community College football program 
special is the grit and determination that fuels its success. Some of 
these players are truly playing for their lives. They are the comeback 
kids, rising above adversity to get back into the game. The stories of 
these players are so inspirational that they won over the hearts of 
Americans in the Netflix documentary series, ``Last Chance U.''
  In the first two seasons of that program, viewers had a prime spot in 
the bleachers to watch East Mississippi's 2015 and 2016 football 
seasons. I will not reveal any spoilers, but the Lions have undeniable 
star power.
  One of the compelling themes throughout the show is the belief in 
second chances. Past misbehavior or poor grades do not define these 
players or their futures. They have legions of fans cheering for their 
success and for the next touchdown. They have introduced to the Nation, 
if not the world, the small Mississippi town of Scooba, population 700. 
According to the show's trailer, ``One of football's best recruiting 
grounds is a place you've never heard of,'' but now the secret is out.
  I would like to congratulate the East Mississippi Lions as this 
year's JUCO champions and recognize the leadership of the head coach, 
Buddy Stephens, who only this afternoon was named National Coach of the 
Year for junior college football.
  I also want to congratulate East Mississippi's six All-Americans this 
year, which was the most for any school except Iowa Western, which tied 
with them. These All-Americans include first team All-American wide 
receiver Dontario Drummond and second team running back Deon McIntosh, 
offensive lineman LaQuinston Sharp, and defensive lineman Everitt 
Cunningham. Honorable mentions went to quarterback Messiah deWeaver and 
return specialist DJ Clayton. There have been 32 All-Americans during 
Coach Stephens' 11-season tenure with the Lions.
  Many East Mississippi players go on to 4-year universities and even 
pro football teams. LaGarrette Blount, running back for the Detroit 
Lions and a three-time Super Bowl champion, was a former East 
Mississippi Lion, and so was defensive back C.J. Reavis, who plays for 
the Jacksonville Jaguars. Other alumni currently playing in the NFL are 
defensive lineman Jarran Reed for the Seattle Seahawks, Za'Darius Smith 
for the Baltimore Ravens, Denico Autry for the Indianapolis Colts, and 
D.J. Jones for the San Francisco 49ers.
  Although there is no question about East Mississippi's skills on the 
field, the team also earned the title of being the Football Academic 
Team of the Year among junior colleges, showing that the work goes far 
past the end zone.
  Our State and Nation are proud of East Mississippi Community 
College's success. I am confident their football dynasty will continue, 
and I look forward to cheering them on to other championships in future 
years.
  I thank the Presiding Officer.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Daines). The Senator from Delaware.

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