John Vaught, Ole Miss’s legendary coach, once said to me that Richard “Possum”, Price was not only one of the greatest linebackers he had ever seen but also the most skilled. This covers over 80 years of Vaught’s coaching, playing and watching football. Bill Shaw, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was a former player on the Vicksburg high-school football team. Shaw expressed disbelief that Price hadn’t been elected to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame years ago. Shaw said, “It is almost shameful to be in Mississippi Hall of Fame if Richard Price doesn’t.” He was the best I have ever seen. “I wanted to be like his.” Price will be inducted into MSHOF on Aug. 3, six days after Price turns 80. Jake Gibbs (Price’s Ole Miss teammate), said, “Better late then never, I guess.” I’ll tell ya this, anyone who has ever seen Possum play knows that he should have been there a long time ago. He was a great football player. He would never more knock the fire out of your.” Price was not only a Hall of Fame football star, but he was also a larger-than-life character. He was a once poor student who became a self-confessed teen terror. However, he went on to become a remarkable businessman and philanthropist. He was a troubled teenager, who lived in jail before graduating high school. Later in his life, he was a mentor and benefactor for many troubled teens. Price was a freshman at Ole Miss and earned his nickname because of his nocturnal lifestyle: he would stay up all night and sleep during the day. Another legend, Bruiser Kinard recruited Price to Ole Miss. There’s a story. Vaught and Kinard did not win Price over in high school. Price signed instead with Texas and Darrell Royal, which was highly sought after. Price spent approximately a week in Austin. He says, “I became homesick,” Kinard was sent to Vicksburg after news broke that Price had fled Texas. Kinard spent a lot of time searching for Price in Vicksburg and was eventually told he could try a local tavern. Kinard was seated on a stool at a bar and he smoked a cigarette while consuming a beer. Kinard’s pitch for recruiting was short. Kinard stated, “Come on, boy, we’re going into Oxford.” And so they did. Price laughed at the memory, saying, “When Coach Bruiser asked you to do something you did it.” Two years later, Ole Miss assistant coaches discovered that Price was still a star and had been smoking cigarettes. This was a clear violation team rules. Vaught was asked, “What should we do?” Vaught asked Kinard again to talk to Price. Kinard asked, “Are your still smoking?” Possum replied, “Yes,” Kinard asked. “Well quit,” Kinard said. Price replied, “Coach,” he said. “I have been smoking for as long as my memory can recall and I just can’t quit.” Kinard said, “Well, at most try to reduce some,” when Kinard went on recruiting visits during Price’s freshman season. Price was with Kinard. Price was able to make the trips when Ole Miss went on the road even though he wasn’t eligible for the position. Why? They thought they needed to watch me. Price stated that they were afraid I would go.” He never did. In his three varsity years, Ole Miss won 29, lost three, and tied one of the three games he played at linebacker and offensive guard. 1959’s team was 10-1. They outscored their opponents 349-21. The Rebels never gave up a touchdown drive exceeding seven yards throughout the season. Only Billy Cannon’s punt return of 89 yards spoiled a perfect season. Ole Miss defeated Cannon and LSU 21-0 in Sugar Bowl two months later. Says Price, “You talk about talent. There were so many great players. We had great players who played behind great players.” Price was one of many Rebels to hit Cannon with the long punt return. “I fell on the wet grass as I hit him. I couldn’t wrap his body around. It still haunts me. Cannon’s return was the only exception. They never made it past our 40.” What a 1959 team! Price will be the 14th inductee into the MSHOF for his performance as a Rebel. Vaught, seven of his assistants, are also members of the MSHOF. Price says, “I thought that they might have forgotten about me.” But those who saw him play will never forget.