March 25, 2011

OXFORD, Miss. – Mike  Wallace and BenJarvus  Green-Ellis headline a group of former Ole Miss Rebels set to take part in an awards ceremony and panel discussion on the National Football League during 2011 Grove Bowl Week festivities.

Joining Wallace and Green-Ellis for the Q&A and slated to be honored are fellow NFL standouts Kendrick  Lewis, Tutan  Reyes and Micheal  Spurlock, retired Pro Bowler Deuce  McAllister and 2011 Draft hopeful Jerrell  Powe.

Hours before kickoff of the annual BancorpSouth Grove Bowl spring game, "Life in the NFL" will be held April 16 at 11 a.m. CT on the Grove stage and will be emceed by the “Voice of the Rebels’ David Kellum.

In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved inside Fulton Chapel.

“It is extremely exciting to welcome so many outstanding former Rebels back to campus,” said Jamil Northcutt, Ole Miss Assistant Athletics Director. “Over the years, these Grove Stage programs have helped us celebrate the on and off the field accomplishments of our former players, and this is perhaps the most impressive group yet. Most importantly, our fans will have the opportunity to hear from these men on a personal level through the panel discussion.”

Previous Grove Stage ceremonies have featured Eli Manning and Patrick  Willis in 2008, Michael  Oher and Peria  Jerry in 2009 and a group of five in 2010 that included Dexter  McCluster.

Rebel head football coach Houston Nutt said having the former players back on campus creates a special atmosphere for the Grove Bowl.

“It’s always great whenever our former players come back, but it’s especially exciting when it’s the Grove Bowl,” Nutt said. “I know the fans and our current players enjoy seeing them, and I think it brings back a lot of great memories for the former players.”

Other events surrounding Grove Bowl Week include the inaugural Rebels’ Choice Awards, Monday, April 11 at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for Performing Arts and the Chucky Mullins Courage Award Banquet, Thursday, April 14 at the Indoor Practice Facility. Tickets for both are available through the UM Box Office.

The BancorpSouth Grove Bowl is the culmination of the team's spring practices, which begin Monday. The game kicks off April 16 at 1 p.m. at Vaught Hemingway Stadium/ Hollingsworth Field.

Sponsored by the M-Club Alumni Chapter, the game benefits the J.W. "Wobble" Davidson Scholarship Fund, which aids the children of former Ole Miss letterwinners.

For more information or for assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7375.