Rick Cleveland
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I am Rick Cleveland, Mississippi Today and syndicated columnist. One half of Crooked Letter Sports podcast.
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Articles by Rick Cleveland
Crimson Tide makes short work of previously unbeaten Bulldogs and a hobbled Kamario Taylor
Posted 10/3/26 No. 7 Alabama raced past No. 16 Mississippi State 56-23 to remain undefeated. The Tide unceremoniously knocked the Bulldogs from the list of unbeaten teams. This item is available in full to subscribers. E-mail Password Print and web subscribers If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Crimson Tide makes short work of previously unbeaten Bulldogs and a hobbled Kamario Taylor Original
STARKVILLE — Kamario Taylor has had far better days this season and even last year as a freshman. He will have many much better days in the future. As has been written in this column several times, the gifted quarterback will win many, many big games at Mississippi State. Rick Cleveland But this sunny, humid Saturday at Scott Field was a reminder of two important facts: One, for all his remarkable ability and his accomplishments to date, Taylor is 19 years young and will not turn 20 until February.
PACs and political networks fund text campaigns in City of Bradenton races
BRADENTON — Political committees are directing money to two of Bradenton's City Council races this election cycle, using targeted text message campaigns to promote candidates, undermine others, and deliver different messages to different voter groups.The Bradenton City Council races are nonpartisan, and the text campaigns are unfolding in the general election races for the City’s Wards 3 and 4. In Ward 3, incumbent Kemp Schuessler faces challenger Thomas Schwarz.
Immigration insights: Tears and action follow ICE raids in southwest Kansas
Dodge City protesters gather at Wright Park on Sept. 25, 2026, to march to U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann's office. They were protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in the community. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) DODGE CITY — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived in southwest Kansas on Sept. 22 and departed three days later, leaving fear, uncertainty and anger.
This Week in Local Government: 10/4/26
BRADENTON — This week, the Palmetto City Commission, the Manatee County Commission, and the Manatee School Board will be in session. The Manatee County Commission will hold three meetings this week: a regular meeting Tuesday, a special meeting Wednesday, and a land use meeting Thursday.
Random Ramblings from the 2026 MLB Season
The New York Mets, at $357,626,125, have the highest MLB team payroll in 2026. The Mets are not in the postseason. The team with the lowest payroll, the Cleveland Guardians, at $69,984,029, not only won the American League Central, but they are also in the postseason. So much for some people’s view that a salary cap and floor are needed. So, most mornings I embark on my walks around Stoneybrook Golf Club, I mumble random baseball thoughts.
Can Mississippi State turn the Tide? In this case, both the tide of history and the Crimson one
Mississippi State has won four straight football games, three straight against power conference schools and two straight against Southeastern Conference foes. The Bulldogs have moved up to No. 16 in the Associated Press poll, the first time they have been ranked so high since September of 2020. They have a budding superstar in quarterback Kamario Taylor. They have a terrific runner in uniquely named Fluff Bothwell. State fans are ecstatic.
Can Mississippi State turn the Tide? In this case, both the tide of history and the Crimson one
By Rick Cleveland | Originally published by Mississippi Today Mississippi State has won four straight football games, three straight against power conference schools and two straight against Southeastern Conference foes. The Bulldogs have moved up to No. 16 in the Associated Press poll, the first time they have been ranked so high since September of 2020. They have a budding superstar in quarterback Kamario Taylor.
Could Mississippi State and Ole Miss repeat the glory of the 2014 football season?
So, here we are, three weeks into the college football season, and some Mississippi football fans are asking themselves: Could we be looking at another 2014 season? Remember? For nearly two months, Mississippi was the talk of college football. Ole Miss began the season ranked 18th and rose to as high as No. 3. Mississippi State began the season unranked and rose to No. 1. No. 1! The Bulldogs stayed there for five weeks. Five weeks! For two weeks in October, State was ranked No. 1 and Ole Miss No. 3.
Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss put Lane Kiffin in the rearview mirror
OXFORD — LSU knew better than any other team in America what it was facing in Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. In this case, familiarity breeds not contempt but respect. Familiarity did not help the Tigers one single bit. The outcome of one of the most anticipated games in Mississippi history was on the line, and Chambliss stepped up and won it. That’s all he did. He won the game.
Could Mississippi State and Ole Miss repeat the glory of the 2014 football season?
So, here we are, three weeks into the college football season, and some Mississippi football fans are asking themselves: Could we be looking at another 2014 season? Rick Cleveland Remember? For nearly two months, Mississippi was the talk of college football. Ole Miss began the season ranked 18th and rose to as high as No. 3. Mississippi State began the season unranked and rose to No. 1. No. 1! The Bulldogs stayed there for five weeks.
Could Mississippi State and Ole Miss repeat the glory of the 2014 football season?
By Rick Cleveland | Originally published by Mississippi Today So, here we are, three weeks into the college football season, and some Mississippi football fans are asking themselves: Could we be looking at another 2014 season? Rick Cleveland Remember? For nearly two months, Mississippi was the talk of college football. Ole Miss began the season ranked 18th and rose to as high as No. 3. Mississippi State began the season unranked and rose to No. 1. No. 1! The Bulldogs stayed there for five weeks.
Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels put Lane Kiffin in the rearview mirror
By Rick Cleveland | Originally published by Mississippi Today OXFORD — LSU knew better than any other team in America what it was facing in Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. In this case, familiarity breeds not contempt but respect. Familiarity did not help the Tigers one single bit. The outcome of one of the most anticipated games in Mississippi history was on the line, and Chambliss stepped up and won it. Rick Cleveland That’s all he did. He won the game.
Shakespeare could have written this LSU-Ole Miss football plot
By Rick Cleveland | Originally published by Mississippi Today OXFORD — So I’ve heard this question several times this week: “Is this LSU-Ole Miss game the biggest college football game you have ever covered?” Rick Cleveland Well, no. It’s not even the biggest in the last 10 months. The Ole Miss-Georgia Sugar Bowl playoff game was bigger. The Miami-Ole Miss Fiesta Bowl was still bigger. Now then, this might be the most anticipated regular season game I’ve ever covered.
Crooked Letter Sports: A Magnolia Bowl for the Ages
By Rick Cleveland and Tyler Cleveland | Originally published by Mississippi Today CBS National College Football Writer John Talty joins the podcast to talk about this week’s LSU – Ole Miss game and his latest book, in which he profiles LSU coach Lane Kiffin, one of the most divisive figures in sports. This article was originally published by Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Source: Original Article
Crooked Letter Sports: A Magnolia Bowl for the Ages
You just finished reading a story that may have taken days, weeks, or months of persistence to get right. It’s only possible because for 10 years now, readers like you have ensured that our reporters can follow every story where it leads — no matter the time or resources needed to do it right. It’s Mississippians who make it possible to keep our work free and accessible to all — from your email inbox to the local newspapers across the state that republish our stories and keep our home strong.
LSU-Ole Miss football: This is a series that can change a person’s life
LSU and Ole Miss will play one of the most anticipated and important football games in Mississippi history Saturday night in Oxford. Rick Cleveland Put all the Lane Kiffin stuff aside (please!). LSU-Ole Miss is meaningful enough without all that, especially when both are Top 10 teams. Games in this rivalry can change lives. I remember talking about the 1959 Ole Miss-LSU regular season game with Rebel great Charlie Flowers shortly before he died 55 years later in 2014.
College football, week 2: Kamario Taylor is impressive for MSU, Ole Miss secondary needs to improve
By Rick Cleveland | Originally published by Mississippi Today Mississippi’s college football weekend in review… Let’s start with Mississippi State since the Bulldogs had by far the best showing and most important victory with a 38-13 whacking of Minnesota on the road. This one was every bit as one-sided as it sounds. Rick Cleveland This won’t be the first time you have read this in this column, but Bulldog sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor may well be State’s next Dak Prescott.
College football, week 2: Kamario Taylor is impressive for MSU, Ole Miss secondary needs to improve
Mississippi’s college football weekend in review… Let’s start with Mississippi State since the Bulldogs had by far the best showing and most important victory with a 38-13 whacking of Minnesota on the road. This one was every bit as one-sided as it sounds. Rick Cleveland This won’t be the first time you have read this in this column, but Bulldog sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor may well be State’s next Dak Prescott. The Big Ten Conference Golden Gophers learned it the hard way.
Crooked Letter Sports: First football weekend, first takes.
By Rick Cleveland and Tyler Cleveland | Originally published by Mississippi Today By and large, Mississippi’s college football teams had a successful first weekend and the Clevelands break it down game by game, with some high school football on the side. This article was originally published by Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Source: Original Article
Crooked Letter Sports: First football weekend, first takes.
By and large, Mississippi’s college football teams had a successful first weekend and the Clevelands break it down game by game, with some high school football on the side. Sports Columnist Rick Cleveland is a sports columnist for Mississippi Today. A Hattiesburg native, he has covered Mississippi sports for nearly six decades and is a member of both the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Press Association Hall of Fame.
Football weekend that was: Ole Miss survives while State, USM, JSU romp
Let’s look back at Mississippi’s first big college football weekend. And let’s start with No. 9 Ole Miss, which survived No. 24 Louisville, 41-38, in a thriller that began with a first half defensive struggle that turned into a second half shootout. “Hotty Toddy” is the usual Ole Miss refrain after a hard-fought victory, especially a nationally televised win over a really good team.
Football weekend that was: Ole Miss survives while State, USM and JSU romp
Let’s look back at Mississippi’s first big college football weekend. And let’s start with No. 9 Ole Miss, which survived No. 24 Louisville, 41-38, in a thriller that began with a first half defensive struggle that turned into a second half shootout. Rick Cleveland “Hotty Toddy” is the usual Ole Miss refrain after a hard-fought victory, especially a nationally televised win over a really good team.
Eligibility issues are not new in college sports. Here’s the proof.
This could be another column about how we’re in the first big weekend of the college football season and how the sport has gone absolutely bat-dung crazy. I could write about the court case down In Baton Rouge where a judge ruled eligible for LSU two former Ole Miss players who were recruited right out of NFL training camps. Rick Cleveland Or I could write about how the SEC has filed a federal lawsuit in Birmingham against LSU and its coach, Lane Kiffin, the Snidely Whiplash of college football.
Crooked Letter Sports: It’s finally here!
You just finished reading a story that may have taken days, weeks, or months of persistence to get right. It’s only possible because for 10 years now, readers like you have ensured that our reporters can follow every story where it leads — no matter the time or resources needed to do it right. It’s Mississippians who make it possible to keep our work free and accessible to all — from your email inbox to the local newspapers across the state that republish our stories and keep our home strong.
Big-time money is sapping the joy from college sports, even from the start of football season
College sports has gone so far off the rails I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh – and I do, each time a coach, athletic director or president at a power conference school talks about their “student-athletes” as if they are anything other than sports mercenaries.
‘The Rock’ at USM gets a new and more proper name: Renasant Stadium
The former M.M. Roberts Stadium at Southern Miss is now Renasant Stadium, named for Renasant Bank. This is welcome news for far more than the 13.7 million obvious reasons. No: 1, Tupelo-based Renasant, which purchased The First Bank of Hattiesburg in 2025, will pay Southern Miss athletics a badly needed $13.7 million over 10 years for the naming rights to the stadium.
Big-time money is sapping the joy from college sports, even from the start of football season
College sports has gone so far off the rails I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh – and I do, each time a coach, athletic director or president at a power conference school talks about their “student-athletes” as if they are anything other than sports mercenaries.
‘The Rock’ at USM gets a new and more proper name: Renasant Stadium
The former M.M. Roberts Stadium at Southern Miss is now Renasant Stadium, named for Renasant Bank. This is welcome news for far more than the 13.7 million obvious reasons. No: 1, Tupelo-based Renasant, which purchased The First Bank of Hattiesburg in 2025, will pay Southern Miss athletics a badly needed $13.7 million over 10 years for the naming rights to the stadium.
Only one Mississippi team has ever played in Little League World Series, and what a team it was
Only one Mississippi baseball team in history has advanced to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the Little League World Series, which turns 74 years old this month and saturates August ESPN programming. The Hub City’s Pineview Little League All-Stars, an all-Black team, first won the 1977 Mississippi Little League championship at Biloxi.
Crooked Letter Sports: Football eve
The Saints played their first exhibition and college football is slightly more than two weeks old. We are on the cusp of football and the AP preseason poll is out. Ole Miss is No. 9. Too high? To low? The Clevelands discuss, plus Rick remembers the only Mississippi team to ever play in the Little League World Series, which turns 74 this month and saturates ESPN’s August programming. Most Read Stories Recent Stories
Only one Mississippi team has ever played in Little League World Series, and what a team it was
Only one Mississippi baseball team in history has advanced to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the Little League World Series, which turns 74 years old this month and saturates August ESPN programing. The Hub City’s Pineview Little League All-Stars, an all-Black team, first won the 1977 Mississippi Little League championship at Biloxi.
Who was No. 1 in college football 66 years ago? The U.S. Senate chimes in
You could not make what follows up, and I am not. Anyone keeping up with all that’s going on in college athletics knows the U.S. Senate is discussing and presumably debating the Protect College Sports Act. The proposed legislation attempts to bring some sanity in the form of regulations on name, image and likeness; the transfer portal; eligibility; and the ever-shifting landscape of college athletics. Most, if not all, major conferences support the Protect College Sports Act.
Crooked Letter Sports: U.S. Senate is right on top of 1960 football controversy | Ep. 309
With all that’s going on in college sports today – and that’s a lot – the U.S. Senate adopts legislation about who won the 1960 National football championship. Sports Columnist Rick Cleveland is a sports columnist for Mississippi Today. A Hattiesburg native, he has covered Mississippi sports for nearly six decades and is a member of both the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Press Association Hall of Fame.
Mississippi State basketball icon Kermit Davis Sr. has died at 91
Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer Kermit Davis Sr., a Magnolia State basketball icon, was surrounded by family when died Monday in Tupelo. He was 91. Davis, who played basketball at Mississippi State and later coached the Bulldogs, was the father of former Ole Miss coach Kermit Davis Jr. Father and son share an amazing distinction: Kermit Sr. was Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year in 1971, his first year as State’s head coach.
Who was No. 1 in college football 66 years ago? The US Senate chimes in
You could not make what follows up, and I am not. Anyone keeping up with all that’s going on in college athletics knows the U.S. Senate is discussing and presumably debating the Protect College Sports Act. The proposed legislation attempts to bring some sanity in the form of regulations on name, image and likeness; the transfer portal; eligibility; and the ever-shifting landscape of college athletics. Rick Cleveland Most, if not all, major conferences support the Protect College Sports Act.
Ole Miss lawsuit over football transfers to LSU shows money’s sordid influence on college sports
The increasingly insane world of college sports has come to this: A month before the 2026 football season will begin, Ole Miss has sued two of its former football players – Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper – for breach of contract. Last season, Umanmielen and Harper helped Ole Miss to the most victories in school history. This season, they will play for the Rebels’ hated rival, LSU.
Rick Cleveland: Ole Miss lawsuit over football transfers to LSU shows money’s sordid influence on college sports
The increasingly insane world of college sports has come to this: A month before the 2026 football season will begin, Ole Miss has sued two of its former football players – Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper – for breach of contract. Last season, Umanmielen and Harper helped Ole Miss to the most victories in school history. This season, they will play for the Rebels’ hated rival, LSU.
Crooked Letter Sports: 111 years of sports writing… | Ep. 308
You just finished reading a story that may have taken days, weeks, or months of persistence to get right. It’s only possible because for 10 years now, readers like you have ensured that our reporters can follow every story where it leads — no matter the time or resources needed to do it right. It’s Mississippians who make it possible to keep our work free and accessible to all — from your email inbox to the local newspapers across the state that republish our stories and keep our home strong.
Johnny Parker recalls the Christmas gift that led to his Hall of Fame career as a football strength coach
Shaw native Johnny Parker, the soon-to-be Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer, rates as quite likely the most influential strength and conditioning coach in American sports history. That is no exaggeration. Parker, 79, remembers the Christmas gift from 65 years ago that started him on a career path that led to four Super Bowls and three Super Bowl championship rings. “My momma and daddy got me a set of weights and changed my life,” Parker recalled.
Football great Glen Collins joins the show
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame’s induction weekend is this weekend and the Clevelands discuss all of the Class of 2026, including former Mississippi State and NFL great Glen Collins. Collins joins us in studio to discuss his career, which began at at Whitten Junior High, continued at Jim Hill High School and then State. His second year at Mississippi State coincided with Rick’s first year at the Clarion Ledger when Rick was the Mississippi State beat writer. They share some poignant memories.
Johnny Parker recalls the Christmas gift that led to his Hall of Fame career as a football strength coach
Shaw native Johnny Parker, the soon-to-be Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer, rates as quite likely the most influential strength and conditioning coach in American sports history. That is no exaggeration. Parker, 79, remembers the Christmas gift from 65 years ago that started him on a career path that led to four Super Bowls and three Super Bowl championship rings. Rick Cleveland “My momma and daddy got me a set of weights and changed my life,” Parker recalled.
Mississippi is No. 1 in producing male pro athletes
Most Mississippians who read this column regularly know no other state produces more – or more high-quality – professional football players per capita than the Magnolia State. Seems like every year a new study comes out that ranks Mississippi either No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation in the number of football players who make NFL rosters. Over the course of the entire history of the NFL, Mississippi ranks No. 1.
What young Kamario Taylor gives Mississippi State is a fighting chance
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor has started two college games, but you’d never know that from listening to coaches and media pundits talk about his skill level and his potential as a difference maker in the Southeastern Conference. Rick Cleveland All that praise, much of it at SEC Media Days this past week, may surprise many. It does not surprise me. These eyes first saw Taylor on Dec.
Former Louisiana golf champ Sydney Moss wins State Am in playoff
PEARL – Mississippi Christian University golfer Sydney Moss has added the 2026 Mississippi Women’s Amateur championship at Patrick Farms Golf Club to her growing list of accomplishments. Moss, a Shreveport native and daughter of former LSU All American and PGA Tour player Perry Moss, had previously won two Louisiana junior championships and one Louisiana State Women’s Amateur title.
Mississippi ranks No. 1 in producing male pro athletes, study says
Most Mississippians who read this column regularly know no other state produces more – or more high-quality – professional football players per capita than the Magnolia State. Seems like every year a new study comes out that ranks Mississippi either No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation in the number of football players who make NFL rosters. Over the course of the entire history of the NFL, Mississippi ranks No. 1.
Addilyn Stephens, 10-year-old Princess of Patrick Farms, wins huge golf tournament in Paris
PEARL – Meet Addilyn Stephens. She’s 10 years young, cute as the proverbial button, weighs all of 65 pounds and unless you are really good at golf – I mean really, really good – she will beat your brains out. Listen to how Addilyn celebrated the Fourth of July weekend: She went to France with her parents, Randy and Melissa Stephens, and won the Paris Junior Golf Invitational against an international field, shooting 4-under-par for 27 holes.
USM’s Berry selected for baseball coaches Hall of Fame
Scott Berry, the winningest baseball coach in Southern Miss baseball history, has been selected for induction into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Ceremonies will be held at the annual ABCA Convention on Jan. 8 in Chicago. Berry spent 23 years at Southern Miss, including the last 14 seasons as head coach. He produced 528 victories, nine NCAA Tournament appearances, two NCAA Super Regional berths and ended his career leading USM to seven straight 40-win seasons.
The World Cup, patriotism and victory come to Jackson’s Fondren Yard
Today’s column comes with this caveat: I become a soccer or futbol fan once every four years. I find the World Cup fascinating, even when I don’t always understand the intricacies of what I am watching. That probably put me firmly in the majority among the crowd of roughly 300 who watched the U.S. defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on the 18-foot wide, outdoor TV screen at Fondren Yard in northeast Jackson.
Crooked Letter Sports: We’ve got World Cup (and golf) fever | Ep. 303
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