JACKSON — The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2025 class, which included former Mississippi State football player Steve Freeman.
Freeman starred for the Bulldogs defense from 1971 to 1974 under head coaches Charles Shira and Bob Tyler. He developed a reputation as a ball hawk and is still ranked in the top 10 in school history for interceptions.
Freeman would go on to have a successful career as an NFL player, playing 12 seasons for the Buffalo Bills from 1975 to 1984. He was an All-Pro selection in 1984 and was named to the Bills’ Silver Anniversary All-Time Team.
Freeman had a lengthy career as an NFL official after his playing career ended in 1987. He first worked for the Southeastern Conference before joining the NFL officiating crews in 2001.
Freeman’s son, Brad, was also a Mississippi State athlete, playing for the Bulldog baseball team and helping them to reach the 1997 and 1998 College World Series. He would also become an official for the SEC and NFL.
Freeman joins a class that includes Southern Miss baseball coach Scott Berry, Ole Miss and NFL receiver Dexter McCluster, USM running back Derrick Nix, Delta State basketball coach Steve Rives, high school football coach Mike Justice, golfer Robbie Webb and NBA champion basketball player and coach Mo Williams, who was a member of the 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers team that overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Williams is now the head men’s basketball coach at Jackson State University.
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