The most heralded and famous football player in the history of Southern Miss football is, undoubtedly, Brett Favre. One September day in 1987 a skinny number 4, with a name everyone mispronounced, took the field in the second quarter of a game the Golden Eagles were losing to Tulane, and he led them down the field for touchdown after touchdown, and to an exciting comeback win. After first murmuring "who is this guy?," the crowd went wild as they watched him play. Truly a sign of things to come. The true freshman, 17-year-old third-string quarterback, lightly recruited, on the first day he stepped onto a college field, had a similar "coming out party" to his first appearance in Green Bay years later, when he led the Packers to a nail-biting comeback win after the starting QB went down to injury.
As was the case in Green Bay (until his move to the New York Jets), Favre was the starter at Southern Miss the game after Tulane, for the remainder of his college career (save one game missed due to serious injury). During his college days, Favre led the Golden Eagles to victories over Florida State, when the Seminoles were ranked in the Top Ten, and over both Alabama and Auburn in the same season.
Favre’s career in the NFL needs no rehashing here, though we consider him the best to have ever played the game, and certainly among the best even for those who may disagree. The only three-time MVP in NFL history, as well as the game’s career leading passer. Plus, the grit, determination, and good nature that so many have loved about the guy.
So why the mention here, on a "non-sports" website? Because despite all the accolades that Brett Favre has received, and deservedly so, we think even he would not want to be called a "hero." But we know of another former Southern Miss quarterback who should be, though he would refuse that title as well.
Major General Jeff Hammond has been a commander of U.S. forces in Iraq. He became a general at the age of 46. While still a colonel he survived the Pentagon attack on 9/11. A general with the habit of running a morning mile with his enlisted soldiers. Tough as nails, gritty as they come, but with a heart of gold for both his country and its people he serves and those he serves with. He has spent his career serving his country, as so many of our best have, whether or not that service is taken for granted by those whose freedoms he and his fellow service members secure each day, and whether or not anyone remembers to simply say "thanks."
We say thanks to Gen. Hammond, and to all of the brave men and women of our armed forces who serve our country and the cause of freedom all over the world. We salute those who have given their lives for us, and the many who have been injured in their service. Too many in this country take their sacrifice for granted. Remember, if you are free, that is due to God’s grace and brave soldiers, not newspapers, TV networks or Hollywood.
Jeff Hammond was the starting quarterback at Southern Miss his junior and senior years in the late 1970s. By all accounts he was a good student, a member of the ROTC, and a genuine leader. Also a sign of things to come. If there was a tougher guy who played football at Southern Miss, we don’t know who it was. He could have played linebacker.
Southern Miss was losing an away game to Ole Miss, in Oxford, when Hammond was the starting quarterback. The lopsided halftime score was 19-0, after a torrential rainstorm, and legend has it that some of the Ole Miss players were laughing at the Southern Miss players as they both left the field for the break. When the Golden Eagles reached the visitors quarters for halftime, we hear that Jeff Hammond threw his helmet against the lockers and shouted at his team, "they don’t respect us!," and demanded much more effort from his teammates (and himself) in the second half. Southern Miss won the game, 27-19.
Hammond led his team to several victories, including over the heavily favored Auburn Tigers, in Auburn. You may not find his name in the Southern Miss record books in many places. He never had the athletic talent, including the rocket arm, of a Brett Favre. A native of Memphis, he came to Southern Miss to play football after Ole Miss declined to offer him a baseball scholarship (bad move on their part, huh?). As a true freshman he was a "redshirt" and volunteered to play quarterback for the scout team, because someone needed to (he was not normally a quarterback in high school). We’ve heard he was usually the last one to leave the weight room after workouts, and he was upset when the coaches took him off of special teams kick coverage after he became the starting quarterback.
Brett Favre has quite a legacy, one reported on countless times, and which football fans will continue to treasure and remember. He was born to be what he has become.
Jeff Hammond has quite a legacy, also. Whether reported on or not, whether noticed by his fellow citizens or not. He was born to be what he has become.
As important as Brett Favre has been to our enjoyment of sports, as huge as his accomplishments are, let’s keep things in perspective (we imagine Brett does). Whose job is more important? Major General Jeff Hammond would probably tell you it is that of his enlisted soldiers, rather than himself.
Enjoy your sports legends, people. But never, ever forget the real heroes.
And, say "thanks."