STARKVILLE — Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill has chimed in on the Mississippi state flag debate.
Hill, who was a four-star recruit out of Columbus High School in the class of 2017, wrote on Twitter Monday, “Either change the flag or I won’t be representing this State anymore & I meant that .. I’m tired.”
MSU safety and West Point product Marcus Murphy offered his support of Hill, retweeting the original message with the added note, “& we from Ms… we gone stand for something but NOT fall for anything. I’m wit ya 8.”
Hill’s tweet came in response to a statement put out by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reaves who said the plan being floated to create a second state flag would not meet the threshold for being taken seriously by him.
“Any similar plan would actually accomplish the exact opposite of our stated goal — it would actually divide out state more,” Reeves said in a statement via Twitter. “I don’t believe it would satisfy either side of this debate and I don’t think it is a viable option.”
The NCAA also announced on Friday that it would no longer allow Mississippi to host NCAA postseason events in an escalation of its previously developed Confederate flag policy.
“There is no place in college athletics or the world for symbols or acts of discrimination and oppression,” Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors and President of the Ohio State University Michael V. Drake said in a news release Friday. “We must continually evaluate ways to protect and enhance the championship experience for college athletes. Expanding the Confederate flag policy to all championships is an important step by the NCAA to further provide a quality experience for all participants and fans.”
With new head coach Mike Leach now at the helm in Starkville, Hill was expected to be a major piece of his air raid offense this fall after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing a year ago. His 1,350 yards were just 41 yards shy of Anthony Dixon’s single-season school record.
In addition to the 10 touchdowns Hill notched on the ground, he added another 18 receptions for 180 yards and one score.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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