Mississippi, like many Southern states, lives for sports and no sport like football. It's no wonder then that Mississippi has contributed some of the greatest names of all time to the list of football greats. Three of the game's best players got their start in Mississippi: Walter Payton, the great Chicago Bears running back, Jerry Rice, longtime San Francisco 49ers player and perhaps the greatest wide receiver to ever play the game, and Michael Oher offensive tackle who began his professional career with the Baltimore Ravens. Walter Payton was born in Columbia Mississippi on July 25, 1954. Payton signed with the Chicago Bears in 1975 as a running back. In his career he made nine Pro Bowls and won the MVP twice. Payton set the league rushing record and the single-game rushing record. Payton attends college at Jackson State University. While in college he was chosen for the All-American team and was named Black College Player of the year in Jackson State. During his college career he rushed for more than 3,500 and scored more than 450 points. Many fans would...