Mullins, Paralyzed Ole Miss Football Player, Dies

Chucky Mullins, the Mississippi football player who became an inspiration for his team and school after he was paralyzed in a game in 1989, died Monday at 21.

Mullins died at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Miss., of complications from a blood clot in his lungs.

Mullins, who regained some movement in his upper body and returned to classes last Jan. 16, passed out last Wednesday at his home and stopped breathing.

“Physicians said the damage suffered Wednesday was extensive and unfortunately too much for Mr. Mullins to overcome,” the hospital said in a statement.

Mississippi Coach Billy Brewer said, “This is a tremendous loss for all of us. Chucky was a very special human being. He fought long and as hard as humanly possible. He never gave up.”

The black athlete’s injury united students, friends and fans across racial lines, and more than $1 million was raised for him. The city of Oxford donated land and a specially designed, $70,000 home was built for Mullins near the campus.