Charlie Flowers was one of Ole Miss football’s most beloved figures.
The Rebels are hoping to ensure that the name of the College Football Hall of Famer will live on for generations to come with a scholarship named in his honor.
According to a release from the university, the scholarship is funded at $3,500 to this point. It will need $25,000 to reach the endowment level, which would make it a permanent part of the annual funding of scholarships for Ole Miss student-athletes.
“I’m encouraging our teammates and Charlie’s friends and fans to help expand his legacy at the university he loved,” Chancellor Emeritus Robert Khayat said. “Contributions to the Charlie Flowers Leadership Fund for Athletics will honor him every time our student-athletes receive scholarships.”
Flowers played fullback for the Rebels under legendary coach Johnny Vaught, accumulating a 28-4-1 record and two Sugar Bowl championships during his three years on the team. He was the captain of the 1959 team that went 10-1 and received national championship recognition.
Flowers passed away in 2014.
“Charlie would be so proud to know that he is being honored in this way and he would be even more pleased to know that young athletes can benefit from the generosity of his peers,” Sharon Flowers said. “Charlie loved Ole Miss and he always gave credit to the University of Mississippi for much of his success. Now, through this fund, he can help others succeed, and that would make him very happy.”
For information regarding support of the Charlie Flowers Leadership Fund for Athletics, contact Keith Carter at 662-915-1929 or by email at jkcarter@olemiss.edu. All gifts are tax-deductible and should be made to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655 or online at http://www.umfoundation.com/
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
