Dear Editor,
A great article on Richard Price (June 27, “‘Possum’ Price receives the call). I never understood why it took the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame so long to get this man inducted.
I was at Jackson Central the seasons of 1955 and 1956. Vicksburg was loaded Richard’s junior year of 1955. Claude King was the running back and scored 32 touchdowns in his career. He helped the team to its only Big 8 championship in 1955 with a record of 10-0. He was married, and Ole Miss coach John Vaught did not allow this. Claude went on to the University of Houston.
Richard played both ways my senior season. The team was average that year because they had lost so many quality players the year before, but you could tell Richard had the athletic qualities that would stand him in good stead at Ole Miss.
Vaught paid Richard the ultimate praise saying, “Richard was the best player I ever had.” Wow!
I remember a sports writer would ask Bear Bryant who was his best player. Bear never said one way or other.
Richard truly deserves the honor, and it will be a pleasure to visit Jackson at the Sports Hall of Fame to see him right up there with so many others.
Charles Sanford
Columbia
