Roy Lee “Chucky” Mullins was born in Russellville, AL on July 8, 1969. He was orphaned in 1980 after his father abandoned him and his mother died. Carver Phillips, who worked at a recreation center, had befriended Chucky and when Chucky’s mother died, Chucky asked to live with Phillips and his wife, Karen. The Phillips’, despite having two young children of their own and living on meager wages, took in Chucky and his 16-year old brother. Chucky excelled in several sports, but was Russellville’s football MVP. Chucky dreamed of playing football for Alabama, but after the Crimson Tide only invited Chucky to walk-on, he began looking at other SEC schools. Carver Phillips arranged a meeting with Ole Miss head football coach Billy Brewer. Brewer was favorably impressed with Chucky’s desire, if not his athletic ability, and gave him a scholarship.  Chucky arrived on the campus of Ole Miss with just the shirt on his back, and a heart filled with faith. 

 Ole Miss hosted Vanderbilt for homecoming on October 28, 1989. 34,500 Ole Miss fans were on hand to cheer the Rebels. Vanderbilt took the opening kickoff and drove down to the Ole Miss 12-yard line. There, the Commodores faced a third-and-goal, an obvious passing situation where Chucky Mullins had earned a spot as the fifth defensive back after being red-shirted his freshman year. The ball was snapped and on a perfect timing pattern, Vanderbilt quarterback John Gromos delivered the ball to 6′, 225 pound running back Brad Gaines. Arriving simultaneously with the ball was 6′, 170 pound Chucky Mullins. The ball was sent flying out of Gaines’ grasp as both he and Mullins went crashing to the ground …

After an emergency airlift to Memphis, Chucky spent 114 days in the hospital, which included a five-hour bone-graft operation to fuse his shattered vertebrae.  Mullins made significant progress through rehabilitation, although he never re-gained feeling below his neck.

Chucky eventually made it back to Ole Miss ,with the help of a specially designed $70,000 house from the City of Oxford, MS and the donation of hundreds of thousand of dollars from several sources, inculding other Southeastern Conference Universities.

On May 1, 1991, Chucky was getting dressed to attend class when he suddenly collapsed. He had stopped breathing.  His nurse and Carver Phillips frantically called for an ambulance. Paramedics arrived and took over administering CPR as Chucky was rushed to the Oxford hospital and then to Memphis. Chucky had suffered a blot clot because of inactivity and poor circulation which traveled into his lungs and blocked his breathing. After five days, Chucky died on Monday, May 6th, at 2:35 with a football cradled in his arm. Brad Gaines was at his bedside when Chucky died. A memorial service was held at Ole Miss and on May 11th, funeral services for Chucky were held at Russellville Middle School gymnasium. Chucky was buried outside Russellville in a small cemetery. Brad Gaines visits Chucky’s grave three times a year: Christmas, May 6th, and October 28th.

Through his life and now, after his passing, Chucky remains an inspiration.  Although he’s gone, Chucky Mullins continues to live in the hearts of Ole Miss fans as his No. 38 remains in the football program through the “Chucky Mullins Courage Award.” Established in 1990 by the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, the award is presented each spring to a top defensive player, who then has the honor of wearing Chucky’s number the following season.

The following are his own words.  I warn you, they are some of the most touching you will ever read.  I never had the opportunity to meet this fine young man.  I wish I had. 

A word of encouragement to those of you,

 Who sent me cards, letters, and money too. 

a prayer from all was read to me,

thank you for the intercessory plea.

 

To my close friends and school mates whom,

I love so well from my heart that’s true,

I try to live by the word of God,

that all will know that his love abides.

A word of encouragement and that’s no flack,

your mom and dad, they’re here for that.

 

As I lie here straight, flat on my back,

My eyes to see, my mouth to snack,

no other parts of my body move,

but with God’s help that will come too.

 

Now I look up, not down or around,

for my help from God, who has my crown.

With a whisper I call on him to do,

His will in my life that His child will be true;

and know without a shadow of  doubt,

that God has worked a miracle and shout.

 

Rejoice with me all who wish me well,

for I’ll be back so that I can tell,

of God’s grace, his mercy, and his care,

A word of encouragement, to all who read,

The word of God, that’s what I need.

 

You’ll never know how much God means to you,

till tragedy hits and friends come through.

All you can do is lie and stare,

at the one who made you, then you’ll know he cares.

A word of encouragement to all of you,

keep the faith for God is true.

 

I thank you Jesus, for my Mom and Dad,

whom you gave to me when no one else cared.

I thank you, Holy Spirit, how you revealed to me,

the love of God, how it flows so free.

Even when we were in our sins,

He cared for you, He cared for me.

 

Thanks to my coaches, the president too

the faculty, and friends of Ole Miss school.

The United Stes has wished me well,

Mr. President, lead with a mighty yell!

In spite of all the we see and hear,

this country loves in spite of hell.

 

A word of encouragment to all of you,

keep the faith, I will come through

I trust in God, my Father on high, 

in Jesus, my brothers who is pleading my cause,

in the Holy Spirit, who has sealed me for,

the day that I can rejoice. 

Sources:  rebelgrove.com, Chucky Mullins Courage Award Banquet Official Program