Sept. 4, 2012

NEW YORK - A pair of former Ole Miss Rebels, linebacker Jeff Herrod and tight end Wesley Walls, are representing their former NFL teams this week at the annual NFL Kickoff Celebration being held in New York City Sept. 4-5.

Herrod is representing the Indianapolis Colts and Walls is representing the Carolina Panthers.

Herrod and Walls will participate in a flag ceremony, which features 32 NFL legends and 32 team fans prior to the start of the New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys kickoff Wednesday night. The ceremony can be viewed nationally on NBC as part of the pregame festivities.

The two-day celebration for fans will include NFL Play 60 Youth Clinics and an autograph stage in the NFL Fan Plaza in Times Square.

Herrod spent 10 seasons as a member of the Colts (1988-96, 98) and an additional year in Philadelphia (1997). He compiled 1,337 tackles, 14.5 sacks, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 23 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He was named to The Associated Press All-Pro Team on two occasions (1990, 1992) and was a United Press International and Football News All-Conference choice in 1990.

"I am honored to attend the opening NFL ceremonies as a representative for the Colts," Herrod said. "I am proud to be a Colt and an Ole Miss Rebel. It's a great feeling to be remembered on both the college and pro level after being away from the game for so long."

A four-year letterman during his playing days at Ole Miss (1984-87), Herrod led the Rebels in tackles three straight years and his 528 career total tackles continues to rank first in the school's record book. Herrod was named to the Ole Miss Team of the Century in 1993.

Wesley Walls

Walls enjoyed a 15-year career in the NFL, including seven seasons (1996-2002) with the Carolina Panthers. It was at Carolina where Walls made the Pro Bowl five times between 1996 and 2001. Walls also played for the San Francisco 49ers (1989-93), New Orleans Saints (1994-95) and Green Bay Packers (2003). His career totals included 450 receptions for 5,291 yards and 54 touchdowns.

"I feel privileged to be invited to represent the Panthers," Walls said. "I'm excited to carry the Carolina Panthers flag prior to Wednesday's game. There are a number of guys that I played against and admire that will be representing their former teams. Being from Ole Miss is also special and it's always great when I can represent the University of Mississippi."

Walls earned four letters (1985-88) at Ole Miss, playing his first three seasons at defensive end before becoming a two-way player his senior season when he moved to tight end and also saw action at defensive end. In his only season as a tight end, Walls earned Associated Press first-team All-America honors as he caught 36 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns. He was also selected to the Athlon Sports All-Time Rebel Team.