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Brittany Maynard Galvanizes Right-to-Die Movement
With no states voting on right-to-die laws Tuesday, the weekend death of Brittany Maynard won't have an immediate political impact.
Entry
Celebration of Greatness: Jerry Rice
By bryanflynnJerry Rice not only has greatness but the type of personality that lights up a room. Even coming down the stairs with Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and several members of the Mississippi legislature including Sen. John Horhn, Rice commanded attention.
As the governor spoke at a press conference on Sept. 30, it was hard to keep your eyes off Rice as he stood waiting to receive a plaque that proclaimed that day as Jerry Rice Day. The former San Francisco 49ers receiver’s personality and greatness was worthy of his high standing.
Rice didn’t mind taking friendly jabs at both the governor and lieutenant governor. He took a good-natured jab at Bryant after he finished reading his list of accomplishments, telling Bryant that he got each one right.
He stopped Reeves twice, once to tell him how much he loved beating Reeves’ beloved Saints when both teams were in the same division and again to correct Reeves, saying that he wasn’t he just the greatest wide receiver in football but “the greatest football player of all-time.”
Rice can brag because he owns so many NFL records that the amount of records he owns is an NFL record in itself. But really, he was just joking with our state leaders and the fans and media in attendance.
Later that night, a crowd of people were waiting on Rice at the upper level of the Jackson Convention Center in a VIP room. People talked and visited as they waited the NFL Hall of Fame player to enter the room.
When he made his entrance, every person stopped their conversation, and all eyes fell on Rice as he strolled across the room. As he walked around, the fans looked like kids on Christmas morning, with wide eyes and surprise.
Those who wanted Rice’s picture, to shake his hand or just to talk with one of the best football players quickly mobbed him. Senator Horhn set up a line for everyone to get their picture taken with Rice, and he stood and talked with each person a bit before they took the picture.
Richard Schwartz, the title sponsor for the event said “it was a no-brainer when the opportunity arose to bring Rice back to Mississippi.”
“Jerry Rice is a hero and he inspires us with the way and the things he did as a football player,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz said he uses Rice as an example when speaking to high schools across the state. “I use Jerry Rice as a personal inspiration and to explain goal setting. (Rice) was the greatest natural athlete, but he worked hard and didn’t let anything stop him as he became the greatest athlete,” he said.
Rice signed jerseys, footballs, pictures and took more pictures as the night in the VIP lounge went along. He never stopped smiling or laughing with each person. It was amazing watching someone that famous so at ease with the throng of people …
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Mississippi Players in the Super Bowl
Mississippi has provided the NFL with its fair share of players. In Super Bowl XLV, the Magnolia State is represented by Mike Wallace of the Steelers and Donald Lee and …
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NAMIWalks for the Mind of America: Help me "Stomp Out The Stigma of Mental Illness"!
I am writing you today to tell you about an upcoming event that I am
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News in Brief for Monday, Aug. 6, 2012
Top of the morning reports on Syria, the Olympics, Ernesto, more.
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City & County
Who Killed Angela Parker? Jackson Man Condemned To Life In Prison In 1998 Claims Innocence
The evidence showed that the homicide detectives interviewed Blue Chip Lounge owner John Ware, and he provided them the surveillance video recording that apparently placed Ronnie Johnson at the club …
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I was privileged this year to serve as the president of the Crossroads Film Society's board of directors, which meant an opportunity to work with a wonderful group of creative …
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Fourth Man Exonerated, Registers to Vote
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The Lawyers and the Statistician
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Public Meetings and Community Events
Hinds County Community College Registration, at all campuses; extended hours: 8:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. Go to http://www.hindscc.edu or call 1-800-HindsCC.
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My Convention Center Photos
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Senators Seek Deal on Gun-Sale Background Checks
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How to Renovate a Park
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Publisher's Note
On Milestones and Missions
As we push into August 2012, the Jackson Free Press has a couple of milestones to celebrate and a few to look forward to.
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Matters of Doom
Thousands of Mississippians and national gridiron partisans know Robert Brazile as "Dr. Doom." They remember him as a headhunting black college All American on Jackson State's 1972-73 Southwest Athletic Conference …
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Education
William Winter, Mississippi's 'Education Governor' Has Died at 97
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Former Mississippi Gov. William Winter, a Democrat who pushed to strengthen public education and improve race relations, has died. He was 97.
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Southern Exposure: Cold Wreaks Havoc on Aging Waterworks
The sunshine is back and the ice has melted. But more than a week after a deep freeze across the South, many communities are still grappling with getting clean water …
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Crime
Misdemeanor Holding Facility Could Open in Jackson in Old Juvenile Detention Center
Holding cells to hold misdemeanor offenders could soon open in Jackson if the council approves the move after an evaluation process.
