Mullen, Freeze among names on letter to change Confederate symbol on flag

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen and Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze were among multiple names attached to a full-page ad in Sunday's Clarion-Ledger newspaper calling for the removal of the Confederate symbol from Mississippi’s state flag.

The letter, which states, "The Rebel flag was never meant to fly over state capitols," also was signed by notable Mississippians such as singer Jimmy Buffet, former quarterback Archie Manning, actor Morgan Freeman and author John Grisham.

It comes on the heels of South Carolina removing the Confederate flag from its statehouse grounds following a racially motivated massacre at a historically black church. Dylann Roof, the alleged shooter, posted racial epithets along with pictures of him posing with the Confederate flag.

Mississippi is the last state with the Confederate emblem flying over the statehouse.

"It is simply not fair, or honorable, to ask black Mississippians to attend schools, compete in athletic events, work in the public sector, serve in the National Guard, and go about their normal lives with a state flag that glorifies a war fought to keep their ancestors enslaved," the letter reads. "It's time for Mississippi to fly a flag for all its people."

Freeze announced his stance on the emblem during SEC media days in July when he said: "I think it's time that we move in a different direction."

Coach Dan Mullen sidestepped the issue during media days by directing the question to government officials.

"That's a lot for people in Jackson and for the people of Mississippi," he said.

For more Mississippi State news, visit BulldogBlitz.com.

For more Ole Miss news, visit RebelGrove.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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