Mississippi State University freshman Clark Randolph Noble sat at the training table one morning, surrounded by his football team. As breakfast platters made their way around, Noble’s eyes were fixed onto a steaming plate of eggs.
Once the platter finally neared Noble, the defensive lineman beside him scooped a heaping pile of eggs onto his own plate, leaving an empty dish for Noble.
Determined not to go without, Noble stood up, ready to fight for his eggs. Not looking for trouble, the lineman scraped the eggs onto Noble’s plate, got up and walked away. From that moment on, Noble had a new nickname with the team: Eggs.
This was just one of the many stories Steve Robertson shared from his latest book, “The Dude,” during his book discussion Thursday afternoon at the Friends of the Starkville Public Library Books and Authors event. The book delves into the life and legacy of Clark Randolph Noble, better known to Mississippi State fans as Dudy Noble.
“I won’t give away how he got the name Dudy, but his first nickname at Mississippi State was not Dudy,” Robertson said. “It was Eggs Noble.”
Robertson is a veteran sportswriter and has covered Mississippi State and Mississippi college football recruiting since 1997. The idea for “The Dude” came unexpectedly and was sparked by the firing of MSU football head coach Zach Arnett.
“I got to thinking, when was the last time we had a football season where the head coach didn’t finish?” Robertson recalled.
His research into former coaches led Robertson to an old photo of Dudy Noble standing alongside MSU’s football staff.
“I looked at it and thought, ‘Oh, he was the freshman football coach? Man, how did I not know that? Why does nobody know that?’” Robertson said.
That realization set him on a path of discovery.
“Somebody should have written a book,” Robertson thought. “And then I was like, ‘Well, there we go.’”
Determined to do justice to Noble’s story, Robertson traveled to Bernard, Mississippi, where Noble grew up. He walked the town’s streets, visited Noble’s childhood church and paid respects at his parents’ gravesite. He also sought the blessing of Noble’s nieces, Frances Banks Amis and Mitzi Banks Still, in Batesville.
The October release of “The Dude” followed a deeply personal project for Robertson. In 2023, he released “When the Bottom Falls,” a book detailing his struggle with drug addiction and his path to 30 years of sobriety.
“I would have felt my life was unfulfilled if I hadn’t written that book,” Robertson said. “They say we can’t keep it if we don’t give it away. So in that book, I gave it all away, everything I’ve ever learned about recovery, how difficult it can be and what it takes.”
Robertson said part of his inspiration in writing this was a disdain for many recovery books on the market, particularly those advocating for a “California sober” lifestyle, a sobriety system in which one gives up every vice other than marijuana.
“That’s not recovery, okay? And that’s a hill I’ll die on,” he said. “I think it sends a very dangerous message to the still-suffering addict that you can give up one or two things and still live with chemical dependency.”
Robertson’s book wasn’t about shifting blame but rather owning his past.
“I felt I needed to write a very open, embarrassing, and honest book about the things I put myself through,” Robertson said. “I was not a victim – I was a volunteer.”
Looking ahead, Robertson plans to write a series of biographies on notable MSU figures, including Mike Leach and Babe McCarthy. While he couldn’t reveal the subject of his next book, he did confirm the figure is still living, and the release is planned for later this year.
After his talk, Robertson signed copies of “The Dude” and expressed gratitude for being part of the event.
“It’s always great to do something here in Starkville because this is my home,” Robertson said. “I travel all over, but my favorite signings are always the ones here.”
Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System Director Phillip Carter said he was grateful to the Friends of the Library for their effort in putting together the event.
“Hosting author events like our Books and Authors with Steve Robertson are so important for creating awareness of the incredible literary community in Starkville and in Mississippi as a whole,” Carter said. “Bringing in local and regional authors to showcase their talents and experiences shines a spotlight on the rich history and tradition of literature in Mississippi and it’s a pivotal part of accomplishing our mission as a public library to celebrate imagination, promote creativity, connect people, and encourage lifelong learning.”
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