Mississippi state runner Kylin Hill promised Monday not to play for the school any more unless the state removes the Confederate ‘stars and stripes’ from its flag.
Mississippi state running back Kylin Hill, the third leading running back in the Southeast Conference (SEC) last year, pledged on Monday not to play any more for the school unless the state removes the Confederate ‘stars and stripes’ from its flag.
Mississippi has the Confederate emblem as part of its state flag, the only state in the nation to feature the controversial symbol.
Hill responded to a tweet Monday by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves with the growing high-ranking writing: ‘Change the flag or I will no longer represent this State. … I meant to say … I’m tired.
Reeves had written that he opposed a plan for the state to add a second flag.
The flag is no longer flown at Ole Miss or Mississippi State sporting events due to its Confederate emblem.
Mississippi State Head Coach Mike Leach told the Clarion Ledger (of Jackson, Mississippi) at the Hill booth: “Most importantly, Kylin is entitled to his opinion as is everyone. If Kylin decides to voice his opinion, I think you should do it if you want. I think you should definitely do it because all opinions on all subjects should be heard.
“I think that is where we encounter particular problems: dialogue is not exactly what it should be. Not everyone listens to each other, and I think we have to get to that point. I applaud Kylin’s right to really express his opinion. about any topic.
MSU broker Kylin Hill responded to a tweet Monday by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves.
Kylin Hill was the third leading runner in the Southeast Conference (SEC) last year
Mississippi state head coach Mike Leach (pictured) told the Clarion Ledger (of Jackson, Mississippi) at the Hill booth: “ The most important thing is that Kylin is entitled to his opinion just like everyone else. . If Kylin decides to voice his opinion, I think he should if he wants to. I think it definitely should because all opinions on all topics should be heard.
Several teammates supported Hill in his stance. The offensive lineup Brandon Cunningham tweeted a response to Hill, writing, “I’m in favor of that!” Security depth Marcus Murphy tweeted: ‘We from Ms … went to defend something but we did NOT fall for anything, I am with you 8’
Some fans were not supportive.
“That is our state flag, we, like the people of Mississippi, should be proud of our flag, no matter what color we are,” wrote one.
“Go ahead and turn your back on a university and the fans who have endorsed you since Day 1,” wrote another person, who is an Auburn Tigers fan. ‘The flag debate is out of the university’s control. Be smart.’
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said the proposal to have a second state flag without the Confederate “stars and stripes” is not a viable solution to the ongoing controversy.
Hill’s reaction to the tweet was not entirely negative.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker KJ Wright, a former student from the state of Mississippi, tweeted back to Hill: ‘You have my full support, brotha! That flag represents hatred, racism, oppression! The time has come for a change. There is strength in numbers! We all have to be on board ‘
Governor Tate Reeves released a statement on the flag Monday, which Hill was responding to when he threatened to sit down.
Some fans also expressed their approval of Hill’s message.
“There you go!” wrote in fan on Twitter. ‘If anyone in the south has the power to make these politicians act, it is the soccer players. If racists don’t let you do it, there are many schools in the states that don’t fly that flag that they’d love to have.
Hill, a product of Columbus High School (Mississippi), was selected by the Associated Press as the SEC’s all-around first team last season after racking up 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns on 242 carries. He also caught 18 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown.
The NCAA Board of Governors announced Friday that no NCAA championship event can be played in any state where the Confederate flag has a “prominent presence.”
The updated rule points to Mississippi, which has the Confederate flag as part of its state flag.
While some critics tried to downplay the message the flag sends, Hill didn’t hear it.
A fan insisted that all Mississippians should embrace the flag ‘no matter what color we are’
As one fan noted, soccer players have a lot of influence in the state of Mississippi
Previously, policy said the NCAA could not award the championship game to states that displayed the Confederate flag, but a team in that state could host a championship game if it won by seed or qualification.
Baseball, softball, lacrosse and women’s basketball teams may host the NCAA game under the above policy.
In this April 25, 2020 photo, a participant holds up a small Mississippi state flag during a ‘reopening of Mississippi’ protest as they pass the Governor’s Mansion in the background, in Jackson, Mississippi. This current flag bears the Civil War era Confederate battle flag design on the canton side of the banner, which has been the center of a simmering debate over its removal or replacement
The SEC, Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi made a public call Thursday for the state to drop the Confederate symbol.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement that the league could ban its championship events from being held in the state, except for a change in the flag. The NCAA action on Friday made it official.
“There is no place in athletics or in the world for symbols or acts of discrimination and oppression,” said Michael V. Drake, chairman of the NCAA board and president of the state of Ohio.
The NCAA enacted its initial flag policy in 2001.
“Competing in an NCAA championship is a special experience for college athletes who compete at the highest level and we are grateful for the voice of the college athlete that led to this decision,” said Mark Emmert, president of the NCAA.
‘We must do everything we can to ensure that NCAA actions reflect our commitment to inclusion and support all of our student athletes. There can be no place within college sports where any student-athlete is demoted or unwelcome. ‘
Following the death of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police last month, several Confederate symbols have been removed across the country.
On June 10, NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from all events and properties.
Mississippi state Kylin Hill was the SEC’s third leading running back during the 2019 season
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