Procedural votes in the Mississippi state legislature on Saturday showed the state lawmakers were ready to remove the Confederate battle flag emblem from the Mississippi state flag. On Sunday, a bill to do so officially passed. Gov. Tate Reeves has said he will sign the bill. Once signed, the flag will lose its status as the official flag of the state.

Once the bill passed, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen were quick to release statements:

“I am proud of our universities’ leadership, and the engagement of student-athletes and coaches in the efforts to change the State of Mississippi flag,” Sankey said. “The agreement to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the flag is a positive and appropriate action, and I applaud the Mississippi House of Representatives and Senate for today’s action. I am also grateful for Governor Reeves’ openness to sign a bill to change the flag. As I have frequently said, our students deserve the opportunity to learn and compete in welcoming environments. Today’s action is welcomed in the spirit of this goal.”

“Changing the flag was the right thing to do, and a meaningful step forward in our state,” Cohen said. “Many great Mississippians worked extremely hard to make this happen. We are proud of all who took a stand, came together to support a change and seized the opportunity to be on the right side of history. This is important not only for our athletics programs but for our university and entire state. Our state needs and deserves a flag that unites all Mississippians. Together, we are stronger.”

Ole Miss AD Keith Carter released a statement Saturday after the procedural votes on the House Resolution. Mississippi State RB Kylin Hill has been credited as a major force for pushing the cause forward. On Sunday, he thanked all Mississippi universities who expressed support, even his Egg Bowl rivals:

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