Roy Lee "Chucky" Mullins

The "Never Quit" base usually holds a bust of Chucky Mullins. The Ole Miss players touch it as they run on the field.

Chucky Mullins was a defensive back at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) who was injured and paralyzed on October 28, 1989 in the Ole Miss homecoming game against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Chucky was a quiet gentleman with a huge smile off the field. He grew up in Russellville, Alabama with his mother and grandmother looking after him. When both women died Chucky begged to live with his basketball rec coach. After a productive high school career, Chucky talked his way into a scholarship at Ole Miss by telling head coach, Billy Brewer he would be a good player.

On the field Chucky was hard worker and a hard hitter who patrolled the back of the defense. On that live changing day in 1989, Chucky laid a huge hit on Vandy fullback, Brad Gaines. The impact of the hit shattered four vertebrae in his spine, instantly paralyzing him. Chucky became a source of inspiration not only to Ole Miss, but to the state of Mississippi. Thousands of dollars came in to pay for bills, the city of Oxford donated land to build Chucky a specially-designed house. Ole Miss established a trust fund and even George H. Bush showed his support by visiting Mullins in his Memphis hospital room.


Chucky would improve and travel to see his Ole Miss teamates in Memphis at the Liberty Bowl. On June 20, 1990, Chucky returned to Ole Miss to continue his education. Chucky's return made him an instant hero and inspiration to the state of Mississippi.

In May of 1991, Chucky suffered a pulmonary embolism, caused by blood clots in his lungs. He died on May 6, 1991. Chucky continues to inspire to this day, with the Chucky Mullins Memorial Courage Award. The award is given each year to the Ole Miss football player who best embodies Mullins courage and spirit. The player also earns the right to wear the #38 for the season.

A new ESPN "SEC Storied" documentary was aired in September detailing the relationship between Chucky and Gaines.