Ole Misc.: Hugh Freeze, Archie Manning sign letter calling for state flag change

Good on Hugh Freeze, who continues to be an outspoken proponent for changing the Mississippi state flag. Freeze joined Archie Manning, Ross Bjork, Mike Bianco, Andy Kennedy and a who's who of Mississippi celebrities in signing a letter petitioning for the removal of the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag. The letter, which ran as a full page ad in Monday's issue of The Clarion-Ledger, calls the flag "a symbol of a war fought to preserve slavery and to advance white supremacy" and was also signed by John Grisham, Morgan Freeman, Jimmie Buffett, Jim Barksdale, Boo Ferriss and more.

The letter specifically addresses

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.

This comes roughly a month after Freeze addressed the issue at SEC Media Days, saying that Mississippi needs to "move in a new direction and change the flag."

Among the notable cosigners was Dan Mullen, who, after taking flak for his previously noncommittal stance on the flag, finally came out firmly against it. Welcome to the party, Dan.

Here's the letter in its entirety:

Other interesting stuff

• ESPN did a feature on Chad Kelly. Dave Werner had some pretty hefty praise for Swag's work ethic.
• Grantland listed Marquis Haynes among it's Seven Under-the-Radar Sophomores Poised to Take Center Stage This College Football Season. Dude's gonna be a pass-rushing beast.
• Here's a pretty cool feature about how the Ole Miss quarterbacks are using virtual reality goggles to train. I can't wait for this to be available for Madden.
• Eli and Peyton are in some awkwardly funny Gatorade ads. They're worth a watch.